Infertility Prevalence and Public Support for In Vitro Fertilization Policies in the United States

What is the current lifetime prevalence of infertility in the U.S., and how do U.S. adults view access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and state-mandated insurance coverage?

Cross-sectional data were analyzed from a nationally weighted online survey of 1,000 U.S. adults in November 2024. Survey-weighted descriptive statistics estimated lifetime infertility prevalence and support for the right to access IVF and for state-mandated IVF insurance coverage. Survey-adjusted chi-square tests assessed differences in support across sociodemographic groups.

The sample included adults aged 18-87 years (median age 51 years). Lifetime infertility prevalence was 8.9% (95% CI: 7.2-11.0). Most respondents supported IVF access for infertility patients (74.2%; 95% CI: 70.9-77.2), and approximately two-thirds supported state-mandated IVF insurance coverage (64.6%; 95% CI: 61.2-67.7). Support for IVF access varied significantly by age (p = 0.04), education (p < 0.01), income (p < 0.01), race/ethnicity (p = 0.01), political leaning (p < 0.01), and infertility experience (p < 0.01). Lower support was observed among adults ages 18-29 and 30-49, those with lower income or educational attainment, Black respondents, Independents/Independent-leaning respondents, and individuals without personal or secondhand infertility experience. Support for state-mandated IVF insurance coverage varied by education (p < 0.01), income (p < 0.01), political leaning (p < 0.01), and infertility experience (p < 0.01), with the lowest support among respondents with lower income or education, Republican/Republican-leaning respondents, and those without infertility experience.

Approximately 1 in 11 U.S. adults has experienced infertility. Although support varied across demographic and political groups, most Americans support IVF access and insurance mandates.