WHO Report on Infertility

At Recharge Women's Healthcare, we're always on the lookout for insightful reports from global health organizations that shed light on pressing issues facing humanity. One such report that has us buzzing with excitement is the World Health Organization's (WHO) "Infertility Prevalence Estimates, 1990-2021" just recently released. It's a game-changer because it provides us with the freshest data on global infertility, breaking an 11-year silence since the last report in 2012. And fear not, we've done the heavy lifting for you by distilling the essence of this comprehensive study!

But before we dive into the prevalence and implications of infertility, let's make sure we're all on the same page about what it actually means. Infertility is a condition that affects both men and women, characterized by the inability to achieve pregnancy after a year or more of trying. Astonishingly, an estimated 1 in 6 people worldwide grapple with this challenge, regardless of their geographical location or available resources. While we won't delve into the disparities of care between developed and emerging markets today, we will touch upon the differing rates of infertility despite these disparities.

The key findings mainly surrounds the prevalence of infertility per regions and the types of infertility, and it is summarized here:

• Lifetime Infertility Prevalence - defined as the proportion of a population who have ever experienced infertility in their life
• WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: 10.7%
• WHO European Region: 16.5%
• WHO Region of the Americas: 20%
• WHO African Region: 13.1%
• WHO Western Pacific Region: 23.2%
• Period Infertility Prevalence - defined as the proportion of a population with infertility at a given point or interval in time, which may be current or in the past.
• WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: 10%
• WHO European Region: 12.4%
• WHO Region of the Americas: 10.4%
• WHO African Region: 16.4%
• WHO Western Pacific Region: 13%
• The prevalence of primary infertility was higher than that of secondary infertility in most regions. Primary infertility means first time conceiving, whereas secondary infertility point to any period after the first conception.

While it is important to acknowledge that the report highlights data implications, such as the lack of global standardization and insufficient research reports, it nevertheless offers valuable insights into the overall global prevalence of infertility. Furthermore, it underscores the necessity for further research, heightened awareness, and enhanced support systems for individuals facing challenges when embarking on or expanding their families.

To conclude, the WHO report on infertility prevalence stands as a valuable resource that prompts us to recognize and address infertility on a global scale. By promoting knowledge, empathy, and effective solutions, we can empower individuals and couples facing infertility, providing them with the hope, support, and resources they require throughout their journey toward parenthood.


Read the WHO Report here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978920068315

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