Couples' Reproductive Health and Fertility

The IUSSP Panel on couples’ reproductive health and fertility has an important role to play because the population and public health communities generally have too often ignored the couple context of reproductive health.  Including the male partner in reproductive health efforts could contribute to a reduction in the large unmet need for contraception in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, could help narrow the gap in desired family size between spouses, could reduce transmission of HIV and other STIs, and could help further reduce infant, child and even maternal mortality. This panel aims to stimulate further research and public policy interest in a couple’s approach to reproductive health including fertility.