WHO Reveals Infertility Affects 1 in 6 People Globally, Urges Countries To Provide Fertility Treatments

WHO infertility rising infertility rate fertility treatments

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Apr 04, 04:38 am

Photo: (Photo : MAURO PIMENTEL / Getty Images)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about rising global infertility rates. A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has found that infertility affects 1 in 6 people globally, highlighting the prevalence of the condition.

According to the study, infertility is characterized as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. As per Stat News, the report examined 133 studies spanning from 1990 to 2021 and revealed that infertility prevalence is comparable across various countries and regions.

Global Prevalence of Infertility

Dr. Gitau Mburu, a scientist in fertility research at the WHO, stated that the global prevalence of lifetime infertility was 17.5%, meaning that 1 out of every 6 people will experience infertility in their lifetime.

The lifetime prevalence of infertility does not differ by the income classification of countries, and there is no significant difference between high-income and low- and middle-income countries.

Although infertility rates are similar across countries and regions, differences exist in how much people spend on fertility treatments and how accessible such treatments are.

According to CNN, it has also been found that there were differences in how much people were spending on fertility treatments and how accessible these treatments were, highlighting the existence of disparities in access to fertility care.

These inequalities can impact people's ability to conceive and may pose a high level of risk for those who are unable to access affordable, high-quality fertility care.

The report discovered that individuals in impoverished nations dedicate a considerably larger percentage of their income towards a single cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or fertility care compared to those in more affluent countries.

This inequality of access to healthcare presents a significant risk and highlights the importance of making affordable and high-quality fertility care universally available. It is crucial to address this issue to ensure that everyone can access necessary healthcare services regardless of their economic status.

WHO Advocates Fertility Care

Infertility has a significant impact on people and communities worldwide. Estimates suggest that approximately 1 in every 6 people of reproductive age worldwide experience infertility in their lifetime.

According to the WHO, the most frequent causes of male infertility are issues related to the release of semen, low levels of sperm or the absence of sperm, and irregularities in the movement and shape of sperm.

In contrast, female infertility can be caused by various factors, such as abnormalities in the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and endocrine system, among others.

Fertility care encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility. However, access to affordable, high-quality fertility care remains a challenge in most countries, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Fertility care is rarely prioritized in national universal health coverage benefit packages, making it difficult for patients to access care.

Infertility is an important public health concern as it can have wide-reaching negative impacts on the lives of those affected. Despite this, solutions for preventing, diagnosing, and treating infertility remain underfunded and inaccessible to many patients due to high costs. WHO is advocating for the availability of high-quality fertility care that is affordable and accessible to everyone.

Additionally, they urge for the collection of improved data that will facilitate addressing infertility in health programs and policies. The organization also emphasizes the importance of focusing on infertility as a crucial issue in health research and policy rather than sidelining it.