| Description |
About one in six adults will experience infertility, yet many remain untreated because of financial, geographic, and sociocultural barriers. The high cost of assisted reproductive technology (ART), combined with insufficient insurance coverage, drives many individuals to use online crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe to finance fertility care. This study examines the extent to which relationship status, LGBTQ+ identity, geographic location, insurance mandates, and fertility preservation needs affect the utilization and success of fertility-related crowdfunding campaigns on GoFundMe (2013-2022). The results show that single individuals and those seeking funding for fertility preservation raised significantly more funds and attracted more donors than other groups, but were not always more likely to meet their fundraising goals. LGBTQ+ individuals were severely underrepresented in the dataset, suggesting possible systemic barriers. Campaigns from rural areas and states without mandated fertility insurance coverage were significantly less successful. Greater public awareness, targeted policy reforms, and expanded insurance mandates are needed to ensure equitable access to fertility treatment and services. |
