Psychological disorders following childbirth are incredibly common among women around the world, but are routinely ignored. It’s a “topic that has had to work hard to provide evidence about its fundamental importance,” said Jane Fisher at the Wilson Center. A Maternal Health Initiative panel on so-called perinatal common mental health disorders was the most popular story on the blog last month.

Elizabeth Leahy Madsen also took a deep dive into recent demographic and health survey results to explain regional differences in sub-Saharan African and why West Africa appears fated for continued rapid population growth. And Richard Cincotta explained why, despite recent violence and international threats, Tunisia’s nascent democracy has a good chance to prevail.