Infertility Consumer Health Information and Resources

Abstract

One in six couples faces infertility, and yet there is a lack of information as well as a stigma surrounding the topic. This column highlights resources to support individuals throughout the infertility journey - from orienting resources to statistics to community and mental health to specialized information for marginalized populations to multimedia sources. The descriptions of the resources highlight the unique aspects of each, with accompanying quotes from a qualitative study describing how resources were used in support of infertility information needs. Providing access to vetted information is one way information professionals can help break the stigma and address the lack of privilege individuals with infertility may face.

Keywords:

• Consumer health information
• family building
• fertility
• infertility
• online information resources
• patient education
• qualitative research
• support groups

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emily Vardell

Emily Vardell, MLS, PhD, AHIP ([email protected]) is an Associate Professor in the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University. Her research interests focus broadly on information behavior, including health insurance literacy and infertility information practices.

Ting Wang

Ting Wang, PhD ([email protected]) is an instructor at the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University, where she specializes in health information behavior.

Brenda M. Linares

Brenda M. Linares, MLIS, MBA, AHIP ([email protected]) is the Associate Dean of Library Services at UMKC Libraries at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Her interests include outreach, consumer health, health literacy, patient education, evidence-based research, mentoring, DEI, and leadership and management.