Global healthcare standards are not always consistent. Even as nations strive to lead the way in women's healthcare and adopt new, innovative standards, implementation of those standards is often staggered. This FAQ takes a snapshot of reproductive healthcare from around the world, pointing to trends in IVF, best practices for care and how access to treatment can vary by location.
- Is IVF insurance gaining momentum? In the United States, IVF insurance is only mandated by a few states. Even where it is mandated, most insurers may deny coverage based on age, gender or sexual orientation. Most states in the European Union provide state-funded IVF to varying degrees, while other countries such as Japan offer income-based subsidies. Although IVF insurance is often viewed as an additional expense by employers, it can lower costs by reducing the number of comparatively costly multiple births, which can pose additional health risks.
- Is there a difference in transvaginal versus transabdominal ultrasound when confirming a nonviable pregnancy? U.S. and U.K. standards for confirmation of a nonviable pregnancy differ slightly. The U.K. standards specify instructions for using abdominal ultrasound; however, transabdominal ultrasound used for this purpose has specific limitations. Sonographers should be aware of the possibility of false positives. Learn more about which markers to image and measure and at what time points.
- Are there global research trends to improve the in vitro fertilization process? A variety of methods are under investigation in the search to improve IVF. For example, researchers in Greece and Spain are working to reduce rare genetic diseases by combining DNA from three individuals, while other countries ban this technique. In the U.S., a drug manufacturer is testing a naturally-occurring hormone to substitute for hCG. Worldwide, artificial intelligence has a hand in selecting the best embryos for implantation.
- What country has the best IVF treatment and access? Denmark claims the highest reported number of newborns conceived through IVF or other assisted reproductive technology techniques. This country not only has national fertility benefits but attracts international patients who either cannot afford or are denied services for a number of reasons. In the U.S., IVF cycles are cost-prohibitive to many, and most people who seek IVF do not receive fertility benefits.
- How does IVF law affect access for LGBTQIA+ individuals? Laws in some countries directly dictate LGBTQIA+ individuals' access to IVF treatment. However, the landscape is in many ways shifting toward equitable care. France recently reversed laws banning same-sex parents from receiving certain types of assisted reproductive technology services. Organizations including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, which shapes global health and safety standards, urge physicians to offer assisted reproductive technology regardless of a patient's sexual orientation.
- With improving IVF technology, why are we experiencing declining fertility rates? Declining fertility rates across the globe appear to be attributed primarily to factors other than fertility. As child mortality has declined and women's access to education and contraception has increased, parents have simply given birth to fewer children. One factor that influences the fertility rate, however, is the decision to have children later in life. These individuals could experience decreased fertility due to age.
Practitioners look to healthcare innovators to improve the health of their own patients and highlight the possibilities a patient's future holds. Staying current on global healthcare trends and transformation around the world can open a window to the big picture — and new avenues of care for patients.
