The effect of government funding on IVF demand
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of government funding on IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) demand: Evidence from regional data in the UK
IRAS ID
339777
Contact name
Luzia Bruckamp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London School of Economics and Political Science
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/VHZUK, OSF preregistration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
In the UK and in wealthy countries more generally, many people are now waiting for longer until they start a family. Since it is harder to conceive naturally at older ages, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is becoming more and more important in helping people have the number of children they want. This study explores whether governments should increase their funding for IVF. The aim of the research is to figure out how the amount of money the NHS puts into IVF affects how many people use it. That means looking at how the supply (funding for IVF) interacts with the demand (how many people would like to do IVF). The main source of data for this research is records of all IVF treatments in the UK, collected by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Additionally, information about the number of women and birth rates in the UK is used. Funding for IVF is different in different regions of the UK: This is often called the ‘postcode lottery’ by patients. The study uses these differences in funding to estimate how demand for IVF changes with the funding level. Firstly, the study looks at the current situation: How many IVF treatments are done in different areas, how successful they are, and how they contribute to birth rates. Then, the main part of the research is about understanding how changes in funding affect people's decisions to use IVF. It compares areas with different funding rules to see if more generous funding leads to more people using IVF. Finally, the research will use these findings to predict what might happen if the government changes its IVF funding. This includes an estimate of how cost-effective it would be to increase funding for IVF.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0044
Date of REC Opinion
29 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion