International Study Reveals Affordability's Impact on Fertility Treatment Success

A significant international study presented at the ESHRE 42nd Annual Meeting has highlighted the impact of affordability on assisted reproductive technology (ART) success. By halving patients' out-of-pocket expenses, a 2.67-fold increase in ART-induced births can be achieved. This study assessed ART registry, economic, and demographic data from 22 regions, covering over 95% of global ART activity.

Researchers developed a 'cost-to-baby' metric to standardize comparisons across countries. This metric considers the cost of achieving one live birth through ART, taking into account treatment costs, genetic testing, medications, and reimbursement schemes. Significant affordability differences were noted, with costs ranging vastly across regions.

Regions with lower ART costs relative to median household income, such as South Korea and Spain, saw higher ART utilization. Conversely, high-cost regions like Brazil and India reported lower ART births. This affordability metric explained a significant portion of ART utilization variations and can guide improvements in fertility treatment access.