ASRM:Press Release

Embargoed for Release:
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 10:30 am Eastern Time

Contact:
Sean Tipton at 202-249-4200 or stipton@asrm-dc.org
Eleanor Nicoll at 202-249-4338 or enicoll@asrm-dc.org

Note: All Information is embargoed until the time of presentation at the meeting unless otherwise indicated.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 63RD ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE

Infertility Centers Unevenly Distributed In the United States

Washington DC – Research presented today at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine showed that facilities for infertility care - both Assisted Reproductive Technology centers and male infertility specialists – are unevenly distributed in the United States, with many Americans lacking access to top quality care.

Investigators from Dartmouth Medical School used the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) listing of ART clinics and crossed that with census data to examine the geographic distribution of ART centers. They found that Alaska, Montana, Wyoming and West Virginia were underserved, with less than 25% of the population within 60 miles of an ART center. High concentration states included Connecticut, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. States with mandatory infertility insurance coverage had better access than non-mandated states.

The same research team also examined access to male reproductive specialists. They found that there was a disparity of urology services for male infertility in the USA, with large areas of the country underserved.

"Access to care is an important issue for infertile patients. This research points out that we are a long way from providing easy geographic access to the high quality care our patients need," said Steven J. Ory, MD, President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

P-473, Nangia et al, Access to ART centers in the US. Are ART centers rationally located?

P- 856, Nangia et al, Distribution of Male infertility specialists in relation to male population and ART centers in the USA – Are specialists appropriately located?

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, founded in 1944, is an organization of more than 8,000 physicians, researchers, nurses, technicians, and other professionals dedicated to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive biology. Affiliated societies include the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, The Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and the Society of Reproductive Surgeons.

Note: All Information is embargoed until the time of presentation at the meeting unless otherwise indicated.

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