The Potential Impact of the Dobbs Decision Widening Racial Disparities in Access and ART Treatment Outcomes in the United States
摘要
There remains a wide gap in disparities when it comes to assisted reproductive technology (ART) that is obvious and consistent in Black and Hispanic women regarding access to treatment and clinical outcomes. The overturning of Roe vs Wade poses potential challenges to widening these gaps in ART. The current barriers to ART range from socio-cultural beliefs, access, lack of diverse fertility physicians, and costs. Secondary to these barriers, treatment outcomes remain largely disparate with Black women having lower embryo yield, implantation, and clinical pregnancy rates. In the post-Dobbs era, there have been several downstream effects on reproductive health care, including the increased demand for emergency contraception and permanent sterilization. However, the impact of being in the post-Dobbs era on ART is currently being explored. The longstanding disparities that existed prior to the overturning of Roe vs Wade, will persist and likely increase, potentially lessening access to ART and worsening clinical outcomes.