Poverty linked to lower fertility rates
Study suggests poverty is associated with lower fertility rates in couples, beyond lifestyle factors.
Why it matters
- Poverty linked to lower fecundability and higher subfertility.
- Findings could inform public health strategies for couples trying to conceive.
By the numbers
- About 50% of low-income couples had fertility problems vs. ~33% of high-income couples.
- Poverty linked to lower fecundability and higher subfertility but not to miscarriage risk.
The big picture
- The link between poverty and lower fertility isn't fully explained by lifestyle factors.
- More research needed to understand underlying mechanisms.
What they're saying
- Some find it counterintuitive as lower-income families often have more children.
- Others suggest stress and cortisol levels could explain lower fertility in poverty.
Caveats
- Observational study; cannot establish causality.
- Lifestyle factors don't fully explain the link.
What’s next
- Further studies needed to identify mechanisms and potential interventions.