Infertility

Approximately 9% of men and 13.1% of women of childbearing age have problems with infertility or impaired fecundity, according to the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 7% of couples in the US have difficulty getting pregnant. Sperm counts have declined by 50-60% since the 1970s. 

External factors are linked to these disturbing trends, with evidence indicating that exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pesticides, heat, and lifestyle factors are contributors. Maternal and paternal exposures to EDCs and air pollution have been found to influence the genes that are linked to sex steroid hormones, which impact fertility and pregnancy.

Studies have shown that fertility status could be a window into overall health. Increased infertility in a population could be a harbinger of future health impacts from environmental exposures. By amplifying fertility research, CHE is helping to promote investment in upstream disease prevention. By advocating for policies focused on prevention, we are working to ensure a sustainable and healthy future.