Dr. Hirshfeld Joins ABC for NIAW

Dr. Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron of Fertility Centers of Illinois joined ABC journalist Samantha Chatman to discuss the reality of infertility and the importance of awareness, support, and access to care.

During the interview, Dr. Hirshfeld highlighted that infertility affects 1 in 6 couples, emphasizing that fertility challenges are far more common than many people realize. She shared that while none of us can turn back time, there are proactive steps individuals can take to support their reproductive health, including prioritizing quality nutrition, minimizing ultra-processed foods, staying physically active each day, and getting consistent, restorative sleep.

She also addressed one of the biggest barriers patients face: the financial burden of fertility treatment. Because fertility care is often not covered by insurance, many patients are left to manage significant out-of-pocket costs on their own. Dr. Hirshfeld pointed to the Chicago Coalition for Family Building as an important resource, noting that the organization provides grants to help patients access the care they need on their family-building journey.