News | 24-Year U.S. Infertility Study Highlights Differences by Age, Income, and Race, With No Significant Overall Decline
A large-scale analysis spanning 24 years in the United States revealed an important and concerning reality: despite a public perception that infertility rates are falling, there was no statistically significant decline from 1995 to 2019. Recently published in Fertility and Sterility, the study was led by Snow and colleagues. It analyzed National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to describe long-term trends in infertility among U.S. women and the underlying social factors.
Broad data source focused on married or cohabiting women
The study covered seven survey periods: 1995, 2002, 2006-2010, 2011-2013, 2013-2015, 2015-2017, and 2017-2019. Participants were married or cohabiting women aged 15 to 44. Infertility was defined as not becoming pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse.
Using this nationally representative sample, researchers also analyzed age, race, education, income, parity, history of treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and use of reproductive health services.
Infertility rates fluctuated slightly upward, reaching 8.1% in 2017-2019
Overall, U.S. infertility rates fluctuated modestly between 1995 and 2019:
1995: 6.9%
2002: 7.0%
2006-2010: 5.8% (lowest)
2011-2013: 6.3%
2013-2015: 7.0%
2015-2017: 7.2%
2017-2019: 8.1% (highest)
Although the data show a U-shaped rebound, the researchers noted that these changes were not statistically significant. Differences among specific populations, however, were especially pronounced.
Age, nulliparity, low income, and race were significantly associated with infertility
Age was the strongest factor affecting infertility risk, particularly among women who had never given birth. Nulliparous women aged 40 to 44 had nearly 11 times the odds of infertility of younger women aged 18-24.
Education and income were also closely associated with risk. Infertility rates were significantly higher among women who had not completed high school and those with low incomes than among more educated and middle- or high-income women.
Non-Hispanic Black women had significantly higher infertility rates than other racial groups. Differences among non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and other non-Hispanic women were not significant.
Access to care is a key intervention factor
One encouraging finding came from the analysis of reproductive health service use. Women receiving regular reproductive health care had significantly lower odds of infertility, highlighting the importance of access to public health resources for prevention and intervention.
Over recent decades, sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates have risen annually in the United States, while pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) has declined with prompt intervention. Infertility nevertheless affects 8% to 12% of couples of reproductive age worldwide, including in the United States.
Conclusion: A stable overall rate masks structural disparities
The study concluded that although the overall U.S. infertility rate showed no statistically significant rise or decline since 1995, substantial differences existed across age, education, income, and racial subgroups. This suggests future reproductive health policies should focus more on early intervention and resource allocation for high-risk populations.
News | 24-Year U.S. Infertility Study Highlights Differences by Age, Income, and Race, With No Significant Overall Decline
News | 24-Year U.S. Infertility Study Highlights Differences by Age, Income, and Race, With No Significant Overall Decline
A large-scale analysis spanning 24 years in the United States revealed an important and concerning reality: despite a public perception that infertility rates are falling, there was no statistically significant decline from 1995 to 2019. Recently published in Fertility and Sterility, the study was led by Snow and colleagues. It analyzed National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to describe long-term trends in infertility among U.S. women and the underlying social factors.
Broad data source focused on married or cohabiting women
The study covered seven survey periods: 1995, 2002, 2006-2010, 2011-2013, 2013-2015, 2015-2017, and 2017-2019. Participants were married or cohabiting women aged 15 to 44. Infertility was defined as not becoming pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse.
Using this nationally representative sample, researchers also analyzed age, race, education, income, parity, history of treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and use of reproductive health services.
Infertility rates fluctuated slightly upward, reaching 8.1% in 2017-2019
Overall, U.S. infertility rates fluctuated modestly between 1995 and 2019:
1995: 6.9%
2002: 7.0%
2006-2010: 5.8% (lowest)
2011-2013: 6.3%
2013-2015: 7.0%
2015-2017: 7.2%
2017-2019: 8.1% (highest)
Although the data show a U-shaped rebound, the researchers noted that these changes were not statistically significant. Differences among specific populations, however, were especially pronounced.
Age, nulliparity, low income, and race were significantly associated with infertility
Age was the strongest factor affecting infertility risk, particularly among women who had never given birth. Nulliparous women aged 40 to 44 had nearly 11 times the odds of infertility of younger women aged 18-24.
Education and income were also closely associated with risk. Infertility rates were significantly higher among women who had not completed high school and those with low incomes than among more educated and middle- or high-income women.
Non-Hispanic Black women had significantly higher infertility rates than other racial groups. Differences among non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and other non-Hispanic women were not significant.
Access to care is a key intervention factor
One encouraging finding came from the analysis of reproductive health service use. Women receiving regular reproductive health care had significantly lower odds of infertility, highlighting the importance of access to public health resources for prevention and intervention.
Over recent decades, sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates have risen annually in the United States, while pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) has declined with prompt intervention. Infertility nevertheless affects 8% to 12% of couples of reproductive age worldwide, including in the United States.
Conclusion: A stable overall rate masks structural disparities
The study concluded that although the overall U.S. infertility rate showed no statistically significant rise or decline since 1995, substantial differences existed across age, education, income, and racial subgroups. This suggests future reproductive health policies should focus more on early intervention and resource allocation for high-risk populations.
Story source:
Collected online