In a powerful new article published in The Lancet, David Adamson, MD, Founder and CEO, ARC Fertility, alongside renowned fertility expert Dr. Bart Fauser, calls for a global shift in how we view and support fertility. The message is clear; fertility awareness and reproductive choice must become core pillars of public health before it’s too late.
The implications go far beyond healthcare policy. For employers striving to build inclusive, sustainable family benefits, this research sets the agenda for the future of reproductive health access.
The Fertility Gap Is Real and Growing
Fertility rates are falling across nearly every country on Earth. Today, more than half of all nations are below replacement fertility levels. While medical science has expanded the tools available to help people build families, awareness and access haven’t kept up.
Young adults still want families, studies show about 60% plan to have children but fewer are reaching that goal. The gap between desired and actual family size is growing, driven by financial stress, career demands, lack of partnership and delayed childbearing. Many simply don’t realize how age and lifestyle impact fertility until their options are limited.
At the same time, fertility education remains outdated or absent. Most school-based programs still focus solely on pregnancy prevention. There is almost no structured guidance to help individuals plan for family-building or to understand the decline in fertility over time.
As Fauser and Adamson explain, “just as young adults are supported to make plans for their education and professional careers, they should also be supported to make informed fertility plans.”
Fertility Access Is Still Deeply Unequal
The paper highlights an urgent equity issue – access to reproductive care remains uneven, both globally and within high-income countries.
In many regions, infertility isn’t recognized as a medical condition. Public reimbursement for IVF and related treatments is inconsistent. Traditional policies still exclude LGBTQ+ individuals, single parents and people seeking fertility preservation for medical or personal reasons.
Meanwhile, demand for services like IVF, egg freezing, donor conception and surrogacy is rising. In countries with strong registries, nearly 20% of ART cycles are for people building families outside traditional infertility diagnoses, yet these patients are often overlooked in policy and benefit design.
Fauser and Adamson argue forcefully that reproductive choice must include access. Fertility care isn’t elective. It’s essential.
What This Means for Employers
The most forward-thinking companies already know, reproductive health is no longer optional in workplace benefits. It’s a critical component of talent retention, employee wellbeing and long-term equity.
As fertility awareness grows and more individuals look to assisted reproductive technologies to build families, employer-sponsored benefits must evolve. It’s not just about offering coverage; it’s about removing the structural barriers that still prevent too many people from accessing care.
Recognizing infertility as a legitimate healthcare need, not a luxury, is a foundational step. Equally important is supporting every path to parenthood, whether through IVF, egg freezing, donor services or surrogacy. Modern fertility benefits need to reflect the reality of modern families.
ARC Fertility: Turning Global Insight Into Action
Dr. Adamson’s leadership with this publication reflects ARC’s long-standing commitment to expanding access, improving outcomes and delivering inclusive care. The insights in this new report are already reflected in how ARC partners with employers nationwide.
With ARC, organizations can offer:
- Comprehensive fertility benefits without PEPM fees.
- Up to 40% cost savings through bundled treatment packages.
- Coverage for IVF, egg freezing, donor and gestational carrier services.
- Access to a national network of top fertility specialists.
- Multilingual care navigation to support every employee, every step of the way.
ARC’s model empowers employees to make informed reproductive choices, backed by education, expert guidance and proven clinical care.
Reproductive Health Is Workforce Health
As the global fertility landscape continues to shift, one truth stands out, fertility awareness and reproductive choice are no longer niche concerns. They are public health imperatives with direct impact on workforce sustainability, gender equity and long-term economic growth.
Employers don’t have to wait for public policy to catch up. They can lead by example, offering reproductive benefits that reflect the science, meet the moment and support every employee’s right to build a family.
Contact ARC Fertility to learn how your organization can deliver inclusive, future-ready fertility benefits, grounded in evidence and built for impact.
