Breaking Down Barriers Advancing Toward Health Equity in Fertility Care for Black and Hispanic Patients

Around 6.7 million women in the United States experience infertility.1 According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2013 through 2016, infertility rates did not differ by race or ethnicity.2 However, compared with White patients, Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to receive infertility treatments, have lower clinical intrauterine pregnancy rates, lower live birth rates, and higher rates of spontaneous abortions.3,4 To begin to reduce these racial disparities, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) added "access to care" as a key area of focus in its 2014 to 2019 strategic plan. This included emphasizing research and advocacy to identify and address racial disparities.5 In 2020, ASRM reaffirmed its commitment by creating a Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating health disparities in access and outcomes to reproductive care. This review summarizes the research on the nature of racial disparities in fertility care. It also discusses strategies to improve reproductive health-care access and outcomes for Black and Hispanic patients.