The article discusses Oregon's declining birth rates, which mirror national and global trends. Oregon now has one of the nation's lowest birth rates, with a 30% decline since 2007. By 2022, Oregon's birth rate dropped to 9.3 per 1,000 residents, below the replacement level, making the state reliant on migration for population growth.

Hillsboro, Oregon’s 5th largest city, also saw a decline in birth counts, with both major zip codes experiencing a 16% drop in births from 2010 to 2022. Despite this, Hillsboro's population grew. The article suggests environmental factors, particularly pollution from Hillsboro Airport (HIO) and another local airport, could be contributing to the decline in fertility. HIO is ranked 8th nationwide for lead pollution, and both Hillsboro zip codes are exposed to heavy aviation activity, which may impact birth rates.

This pattern of declining fertility rates is observed nationwide, particularly in states with significant lead pollution from airports. The article calls for action from public officials to mitigate the health impacts of aviation emissions.

Read the full article here:

https://oregonaviationwatch.org/#ImpactOfAviationPollutionOnFertilityRates