Reproductive Health

A Public Health Focus on Infertility Prevention, Detection, and Management

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Maurizio Macaluso M.D., Dr.P.H.,^a Tracie J. Wright-Schnapp M.P.H.,^a Anjani Chandra Ph.D.,^bRobert Johnson M.D., M.P.H.,^c Catherine L. Satterwhite M.S.P.H., M.P.H.,^cAmy Pulver M.A., M.B.A.,^c Stuart M. Berman M.D., Sc.M.,^cRichard Y. Wang D.O.,^d Sherry L. Farr M.S.P.H., Ph.D.,^a and Lori A. Pollack M.D., M.P.H.,^f[Received 15 August 2008; revised 8 September 2008; accepted 9 September 2008. Available online 6 November 2008.]

In 2002, 2 million American women of reproductive age were infertile. Infertility is also common among men. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts surveillance and research on the causes of infertility, monitors the safety and efficacy of infertility treatment, and sponsors national prevention programs. A CDC-wide working group found that, despite this effort, considerable gaps and opportunities exist in surveillance, research, communication, and program and policy development. We intend to consult with other federal agencies, professional and consumer organizations, the scientific community, the health care community, industry, and other stakeholders, and participate in the development of a national public health plan for the prevention, detection, and management of infertility.

Infertility: An Emerging Priority

Prevalence
Causes and Prevention
Approaches to Infertility Treatment
Adverse Outcomes of Infertility Treatment
Costs
Alternatives to Treatment of Infertility
Infertility as a Global Issue
Legal, Policy, and Ethical Issues

Unmet Needs and Opportunities for Public Health Action

Surveillance
Research Issues
Programs, Policies, and Systems
Communication and Education

Developing a National Comprehensive Public Health Plan for Infertility Prevention, Detection, and Management

Engaging Partners and Mobilizing Support
Setting Priorities

Call for Action

Acknowledgements

References

Appendix

Current Public Health Efforts Addressing Infertility at the CDC

a. Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
b. Division of Vital Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
c. Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
d. Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
f. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.