Infertility among both men and women is rising at an alarming rate worldwide. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), one out of every six people in the world is currently infertile.
On Friday, WHO released a new global guideline on infertility prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The guideline outlines the current global proportion of infertility and marks the first time the organization has published a comprehensive global framework on the issue.
Unhealthy lifestyle and diet, reduced physical activity, and smoking have been identified as major contributors to increasing infertility rates worldwide.
WHO has urged its member states to step forward in supporting people affected by infertility. The guideline includes 40 recommendations aimed at improving care.
In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said,
“Infertility is one of the most neglected public health challenges of our time and a major issue of global equity. Millions of people around the world are affected, yet government-supported treatment remains extremely limited. In most countries, individuals have to pay out of pocket, and many poor people are deprived of treatment due to financial hardship.”
He added that stigma, suffering, and economic hardship prevent many infertile men and women from receiving adequate care. WHO has called on all member states to invest more in infertility care, expand support systems, improve data collection and treatment, and increase awareness and public outreach.
