Infertility affects more than 1 in 6 couples worldwide, yet it’s still treated like a private struggle instead of a public health and workforce crisis. Access to fertility care is expensive and often limited to those with the best financial situation or with premium insurance coverage. The consequences go beyond individual families and can also include declining birth rates, emotional burnout, and workforce instability. On a mission to close this growing gap is Dr. Tiao-Virirak Kattygnarath, a globally trained fertility expert and Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who is pushing for compassionate and personalized fertility care.
Access to reproductive care remains deeply unequal. Those who live far from clinics or can’t afford treatment often receive lower-quality care, if they are able to receive care at all. This creates a cycle since those with infertility issues deal with stress and emotional burnout, which affects focus and performance at work. For companies, this can lead to higher employee turnover and lost productivity. When businesses and communities support the well-being of families struggling to conceive, everyone benefits.
Dr. Kattygnarath believes companies should include fertility care in their health benefits because it helps employees feel supported and reduces stress. “It also helps attract and keep good workers, especially people who want to grow their families,” he explains. “Fertility coverage shows that the company values diversity and understands that family-building is important for both men and women.”
One way to support this change is by providing company benefits that give access to telemedicine, digital tools, and AI to help make care more affordable and available. Giving better support during treatment will build trust and loyalty that could have far-reaching positive impacts. Additional ideas include support for employees with at-home testing for fertility and egg and embryo screening, a vital part of the fertility process. By incorporating a company culture that puts their people first, in a way that so deeply impacts their lives, employees become more deeply invested in the company’s mission and success.
“AI is changing how we choose embryos and plan treatments,” Dr. Kattygnarath says. “We also see more home testing options and telemedicine, which help people access care without going to a clinic. Genetic testing is improving, and we can now learn more about embryos without biopsy. More young people are freezing eggs and sperm, which means fertility preservation will grow. The future of fertility care will be more digital, personalized, and easier to access.”
For those entrepreneurs wanting to build a company that makes a difference, a focus on reproductive equity could be a route to consider. Fertility care is still too expensive or otherwise inaccessible for far too many, and entrepreneurs can help by building services that lower costs and improve access.
Outside of the fertility industry, company leaders who prioritize helping their employees struggling with infertility do more than offer support, they help address one of America’s growing workforce and health challenges. When more people can access care, birth rates will increase, and the economy will ultimately feel the positive impact. Leaders like Dr. Kattygnarath show what’s possible when compassion and innovation come together to modernize fertility care. By helping more families begin, he brings hope to those who need it most, while advancing a future where economic strength and reproductive access go hand in hand.
