A new report from the world health organization reveals a shocking statistic: 1 in 6 people around the globe are affected by infertility.
This means that almost 17.5 percent of adults worldwide face this health challenge– one that is not discriminate between high, middle, and low-income countries. Despite these high numbers, WHO director Tedros Ghebreyesus offered no ideas on why these infertility numbers have spiked all around the world. He did, however, emphasize the need for greater access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those who need it.
Saying quote “the sheer proportion of people affected show the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy” in order to provide safe, effective, and affordable ways for couples who wish to become parents.
The report also highlighted that there is a lack of data on infertility in certain countries or regions which makes quantifying it more difficult. It would be interesting to see if that “lack of data” happened to be in countries without access to the COVID jabs. It could reveal why that data would be missing.
Those suffering from infertility experience significant distress, stigma, and financial hardships which can take a toll on their wellbeing both mentally and psychosocial. It is currently very difficult to access fertility care as it is often underfunded and extremely expensive, driving many into poverty as they attempt to seek treatment.
