Exploring factors that influence the cost-effectiveness of assisted reproduction

Infertility affects an estimated one in six couples globally. Although assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), offer an effective pathway to parenthood, access to fertility treatment remains highly unequal, shaped by socioeconomic status, geography, insurance/healthcare coverage, and health system priorities. At the same time, the high and rising costs of ART raise questions about its cost-effectiveness compared to other healthcare interventions, as well as its alignment with principles of equity and social justice in healthcare resource allocation.

We are seeking to appoint a DPhil student who will explore issues around the cost-effectiveness, economic value and equity of access of IVF fertility treatments.  Whilst the appointed student’s skills and interests will drive the project details, potential techniques that could be used during the DPhil include (but are not limited to) a combination of economic modelling, use of real-world data from routine healthcare records, and distributional analytical methods (including distributional cost-effectiveness analysis).

By integrating health economic evaluation with an explicit focus on fairness and access, this project will provide robust evidence to inform clinical practice, policy design, and resource allocation decisions in reproductive medicine. Ultimately, the findings will contribute to a better understanding of how fertility treatments can be delivered not only efficiently but also equitably, ensuring that advances in reproductive technology benefit a wider population.

The project would be suitable for a student who has excellent quantitative skills with a background in Economics, Health Economics, Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, Biostatistics or Data Science with a strong interest in reproduction and fertility.

It is strongly encouraged that potential applicants to this project contact the supervisors before making their application:

Professor Stavros Petrou: stavros.petrou@phc.ox.ac.uk

or

Associate Professor Nerys Astbury: nerys.astbury@phc.ox.ac.uk