Infertility affects millions of women in the U.S., but access to treatment and successful outcomes remain deeply unequal. A new study reveals that while 12% of women aged 20 to 44 report infertility, only 39% receive treatment—and just 10% achieve a live birth through fertility care.
The disparities are stark. Among women with infertility, live birth rates were highest for Asian (17%) and White (13%) women, but plummeted for Hispanic (4%) and Black women (3%). The study found that higher education and private insurance significantly increased the likelihood of accessing treatment and having a successful outcome.
“Black, Hispanic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged women face the greatest barriers to successful outcomes,” the authors wrote. These barriers include limited availability of services, inadequate insurance coverage, and restrictive legislation. Even though infertility awareness was relatively high (70%), the drop-off in treatment access and live births highlights systemic inequities.
Using a cascade of care framework, researchers analyzed data from national surveys, birth certificates, and global infertility estimates. The findings show that fewer than half of women with infertility seek treatment, and only one in ten achieve a live birth.
As more restrictive fertility laws emerge, the authors warn that these disparities may worsen. They urge health systems and policymakers to prioritize equitable access to fertility care, calling it “critical” for addressing the needs of underserved communities.
See: “The Fertility Cascade: Infertility Prevalence, Access to Treatment and Successful Live Birth” (August 20, 2025)
