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WHO Demands Fairer, Affordable Infertility Care
28 Nov
Summary
- WHO issues first global guideline for infertility prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Infertility affects 1 in 6 people of reproductive age globally.
- Cost of IVF can be double annual income, pushing millions out of care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first comprehensive global guideline, calling for universal access to safer, fairer, and more affordable fertility care. This initiative addresses the significant public health challenge of infertility, which affects approximately one in six individuals of reproductive age worldwide.
The guideline encompasses 40 recommendations aimed at strengthening prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. It emphasizes cost-effective options and integrating fertility services into national health plans, while also tackling key risk factors such as untreated sexually transmitted infections and tobacco use. Lifestyle interventions are also promoted for those planning pregnancies.
Recognizing that infertility services remain severely limited and often privately funded, leading to financial hardship, the WHO urges increased investment in prevention and accessible treatment pathways. The organization encourages countries to adapt these recommendations to local contexts and collaborate for successful implementation, ensuring respectful, science-based care for all.
