The Fertility Education Initiative: responding to the need for enhanced fertility and reproductive health awareness amongst young people in the United Kingdom

Hum Fertil (Camb). 2024 Dec;27(1):2417940. doi: 10.1080/14647273.2024.2417940. Epub 2024 Oct 28.

Abstract

The need for fertility education arises from changing patterns of family formation in recent times. Young people feel unprepared for how best to plan their career and family and have little idea of the various factors that may influence their fertility later in their life. Research shows young people would like to know more and need the information to be conveyed in a way that is engaging and helps them to integrate it at their current life stage. The Fertility Education Initiative (FEI) was founded in 2016 to address the need for improved fertility and reproductive health awareness and ensure young people are equipped with the relevant information to meet their reproductive and family building needs. This paper serves as a historical record of the genesis of the FEI and its impact to date.

Keywords: Fertility; fertility awareness; reproductive health; education; fertility education.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Fertility*
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reproductive Health*
  • United Kingdom
  • Young Adult