When the economy is down and unemployment is up, many couples are unable to access fertility care to expand families
Oct 17, 2020
By: ASRM
Origin: ASRM Press Release
Using the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) database to evaluate demand in fertility services between 2007 to 2011, researchers found that while the number of cycles increased throughout that period an average of 2.3% per year, the growth significantly decreased during the 2008 recession from 4.8% in 2007 to 0.2% in 2009. The change in the number of cycles per 1,000 was significantly associated with the change in state unemployment rate.
Researchers estimate that about 10,000 cycles were forgone in 2008-2010. Under the same assumptions and a projection of 5% additional unemployment in 2020, around 15,000 assisted reproductive therapy cycles are estimated to be forgone this year.
“It is estimated that most infertile couples in the US do not have access to fertility services, and the current recession and resulting increase in unemployment have only worsened the ability to expand your family,” said Hugh Taylor, MD, President-Elect of ASRM. “We should not only continue traditional IVF care for those who can afford it but also advocate loudly for insurance coverage for all. Unemployment and lack of insurance should never be a barrier to couples accessing the care they need to expand their families.”