Dr. David Adamson, Founder & CEO, ARC Fertility, Lead Author of Groundbreaking Study on Global Fertility Trends
As we step into a new year, ARC Fertility proudly unveils the profound insights gleaned from our founder & CEO, Dr. David Adamson as first co-author in a pivotal study titled “Declining Global Fertility Rates and the Implications for Family Planning and Family Building: An IFFS Consensus Document.”
Published in Human Reproduction Update and now available through Oxford University Press, this study delves into the complex challenges posed by declining fertility rates worldwide and their far-reaching societal consequences.
As employers, understanding and addressing the evolving landscape of fertility care is crucial for supporting your workforce. This study, co-authored with eminent experts in fertility research not only navigates the transformative shifts in global fertility trends, but also unveils the profound implications for family planning policies — making it a must-read for employers seeking to foster employee well-being.
Alongside Dr. Adamson, its authors are Bart C.J.M. Fauser, Jacky Boivin, Georgina M. Chambers, Christian de Geyter, Silke Dyer, Marcia C. Inhorn, Lone Schmidt, Gamal I. Serour, Basil Tarlatzis, and Fernando Zegers-Hochschild.
Understanding the Evolution: From Contraception to Optimizing Family-Building Chances
Historically, family-planning policies predominantly focused on contraceptive measures to regulate population growth. However, Dr. Adamson’s study heralds a paradigm shift, recognizing the imperative need for policies that go beyond just controlling birth rates. Instead, it advocates for strategies that optimize the chances of individuals or couples having a child when desired.
In embracing this evolution, the study introduces the concept of family building – a holistic approach that encompasses diverse methods and options for individuals or couples seeking to create or expand their families. Natural conception, assisted reproductive technology (ART), surrogacy, adoption and foster care all fall under the umbrella of family building, acknowledging the myriad ways in which families are formed.
While the study highlights significant strides made in fertility care since the 1990s, greatly enhancing opportunities for family building, it also sheds light on substantial global disparities in access to care, with high costs rendering infertility treatment unaffordable for many. This divide in access underscores the urgent need for more accessible and inclusive fertility care options.
Global Population Decline: Implications for Family-Building Policies
The research marks a significant milestone as the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) makes its first attempt to outline major disparities in access to fertility care amidst declining global population growth. The narrative review reveals substantial variations in public spending on child benefits and the implementation of child-friendly policies on a global scale. These variations highlight the critical need for a more inclusive approach to fertility care to address the diverse needs of individuals and couples.
In a world where half of all countries exhibit fertility rates below replacement level, the study emphasizes the far-reaching implications of a global population decline. Predictions of over 50% population decrease in many nations from 2017 to 2100 highlight the urgent need for comprehensive family-building policies that support individuals or couples in realizing their dreams of parenthood.
Employers play a pivotal role in acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges employees may face in the realm of planning for a family.
Disparities in Access: A Workplace Challenge
A critical revelation from Dr. Adamson’s study is the stark disparities in access to fertility care worldwide, including in the US. While advancements in fertility treatments have expanded family-building opportunities, the high cost of infertility treatments remains a significant barrier. This economic hurdle restricts many individuals or couples from accessing the support they need to build their families.
In their commitment to employee well-being, employers can play a critical role in addressing these disparities. Access to fertility care, much like healthcare in general, is a multifaceted concept encompassing factors such as availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality. In the realm of infertility treatment, where both demand and supply factors play crucial roles, the disparities are glaring. The study notes significant discrepancies in access aligned with race, class, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and other forms of difference, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to address these barriers. These discrepancies exist in both low and high income countries, including the US.
Governments globally have implemented child-friendly policies, including financial incentives and public funding for fertility treatments. However, Dr. Adamson’s study underscores the persistent discrepancies in access to fertility care. It issues a clarion call for education programs to enhance awareness about family building, aiming to prevent infertility and increase accessibility.
Balancing Affordability and Accessibility: A Corporate Responsibility
Preliminary studies outlined in the study illuminate the increasing contribution of fertility care to the global population and its subsequent economic benefits. The potential positive impact on society, with up to 10% of all children born as a result of fertility care in some affluent countries, highlights the far-reaching consequences of accessible family-building options.
Affordability emerges as a driving force for access to fertility care. Defined as the consumer out-of-pocket cost relative to average disposable income, affordability hinges on reducing the cost and complexity of infertility interventions, increasing reimbursement, and enhancing individuals’ disposable income. Dr. Adamson’s study highlights that high costs related to ART and insufficient reimbursement make ART unaffordable for many, acting as a significant barrier to access.
Employers can actively contribute to the solution by considering strategies to support employees in navigating the financial aspects of fertility care.
Societal Economic Benefit: A Positive Return on Investment
Contrary to the individual affordability challenge, fertility care proves to be highly affordable from a societal perspective. The study emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of fertility care and its positive return on public investment through the economic value of babies resulting from fertility treatments.
While acknowledging the complexities in assessing the economic framework for fertility care, the study suggests that the net economic impact of fertility care is overwhelmingly positive for societies. By acknowledging the societal impact of accessible family-building options, employers can contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
The Future of Fertility Care: ARC Fertility’s Commitment to Inclusivity
As employers, your commitment to supporting your workforce extends beyond professional development and work-life balance. The study concludes with a powerful call for equitable access to fertility care as a fundamental human right. Employers are encouraged to collaborate with governments, professionals, and policymakers in addressing disparities in access to fertility care, ensuring that family-building opportunities become accessible to all.
The research underscores the urgent need to reduce cost and structural barriers, address diversity and inclusion, provide culturally appropriate care, and increase availability in low-resource settings. By doing so, we not only honor individual reproductive rights but also contribute to societal population goals, fostering a world where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, can embark on their unique family-building journey.
As we celebrate the lives born from assisted reproductive technology, ARC Fertility remains steadfast in its commitment to championing inclusivity, breaking down barriers and contributing to the global dialogue on fertility care.
In the diverse journey to parenthood, ARC envisions a future where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, can build the family of their dreams.
For more information on how you can support your employees in their diverse journey to parenthood, contact us.
