IVF debate follows an executive order about its cost and a lawsuit against a fertility clinic
Other discussions highlighted a Maryland bill that could allow school vending machines to sell contraceptives.
Other discussions highlighted a Maryland bill that could allow school vending machines to sell contraceptives.
On February 18, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to reduce the cost of in vitro fertilization, sparking debate on social media about whether IVF is ethical. Plus, a Georgia woman’s lawsuit against a fertility clinic prompted more IVF debate, and posts expressed outrage at a Maryland bill that would allow schools to sell contraceptives in vending machines.
In response, communicators may share information about how IVF works and highlight the benefits of condoms and other forms of contraception.
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What’s trending nationally in reproductive health conversation:
On February 18, President Trump signed an executive order that aims to reduce the cost of IVF. In response, many posts on social media expressed support for easier IVF access. However, some linked IVF to “murder.” One X post from an anti-abortion group claimed that “IVF ends human life at a higher rate than abortion.” That post received approximately 35,600 views, 1,200 likes, 300 reposts, and 60 comments as of February 25. Comments debated whether freezing or donating embryos is ethical.
On February 19, articles reported that a woman in Georgia is suing a fertility clinic that implanted another couple’s embryo in her uterus while she was undergoing IVF. After giving birth, the woman lost custody of the infant to the infant’s biological parents. One X post discussing the lawsuit received approximately 5.6 million views, 215,000 likes, 15,000 reposts, and 230 comments as of February 25. Most comments expressed compassion for the woman who lost custody of the child. However, some comments on Facebook posts sharing articles about the lawsuit suggested the IVF leads to the “murder” of embryos, echoing conversations about President Trump’s recent executive order.
On February 21, Maryland’s House of Delegates advanced a bill that would allow vending machines in public schools to sell contraceptives like condoms, which would reverse an existing state law that bans their sale at schools. Articles and social media posts across platforms discussed the bill, which was met with widespread opposition. Some posts demanded that the federal government “look into defunding” Maryland public schools and falsely suggested that selling contraceptives encourages risky sexual behavior. However, a few posts expressed support for the bill, noting that easier access to condoms could reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections among students and prevent pregnancies.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health.
Conversations about IVF provide an opportunity to explain how the procedure helps people get pregnant. Messaging may note that IVF is a medical procedure in which an embryo made from a person’s own eggs or donor eggs is implanted in their uterus to initiate a pregnancy. Those who might benefit from IVF include people who have medical conditions that make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant otherwise, people experiencing age-related fertility decline, and LGBTQ+ couples. Communicators may want to share information about state laws mandating IVF insurance coverage, as well as tips for those who are paying for IVF out of pocket, including information about grants for LGBTQ+ families.
In light of concerns about contraceptives in schools, messaging may emphasize that research has found that providing condoms in schools is not associated with increased sexual activity. Communicators may explain that using condoms correctly prevents pregnancy and protects against STIs. Messaging may also highlight safer sex barriers like internal condoms and dental dams. Safer sex barriers may be available for free from school nurses’ offices, health departments, and health centers like Planned Parenthood. Recirculating information about other types of birth control is also recommended. Some states allow minors to access reproductive health services on their own, while others require parental consent, so communicators should ensure that all reproductive health materials reflect their state’s laws. Communicators may also want to direct community members to Scarleteen, a sexual and relationship education organization geared toward teens and young adults.