Volume 27, Issue 3 (11-2025)
yafte 2025, 27(3): 80-97 |
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Ebrahimzadeh F, Behzadifar M, Bakhtiari A, Azari S, Darvishi Teli B, Martini M et al . Financial Support for Infertility Treatment in Iran as a Strategy for Health Equity and Population Policy Goals: A Policy Brief. yafte 2025; 27 (3) :80-97
URL: http://yafte.lums.ac.ir/article-1-3864-en.html
URL: http://yafte.lums.ac.ir/article-1-3864-en.html
Farzad Ebrahimzadeh 
, Meysam Behzadifar , Ahad Bakhtiari , Samad Azari , Banafshe Darvishi Teli , Mariano Martini , Masoud Behzadifar *
, Meysam Behzadifar , Ahad Bakhtiari , Samad Azari , Banafshe Darvishi Teli , Mariano Martini , Masoud Behzadifar *
Lorestan University of Medical Sciences
Abstract: (199 Views)
Infertility is a significant public health challenge in Iran, affecting approximately 20–25% of Iranian couples. The high costs of infertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), ranging between $2,300 and $2,900 per cycle, pose a major barrier for many low-income families and rural residents. This situation has not only led to inequalities in access to healthcare services but has also posed challenges to Iran’s population policies. In response, this policy study explores financial support mechanisms for infertility treatment in Iran and evaluates three policy options: (1) implementing a subsidized treatment program, (2) expanding insurance coverage for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), and (3) establishing public-private partnerships (PPP) to reduce treatment costs. Findings suggest that expanding insurance coverage is the most sustainable and comprehensive solution to address financial barriers to infertility treatment. This approach, combined with targeted subsidies for low-income couples, can significantly reduce treatment costs and enhance health equity. International evidence from countries such as France and Belgium indicates that incorporating ART into health insurance systems has increased access to infertility treatments by up to 40%. From an economic perspective, distributing costs among insured individuals reduces the direct financial burden on the government and strengthens universal health coverage. Implementing this policy in Iran requires legislative reforms in health insurance, adequate financial resource allocation, and increased capacity in infertility treatment centers, particularly in underserved areas. It is recommended that this initiative be initially piloted in major cities and expanded nationwide after evaluation. Additionally, strict oversight should be applied to ensure service quality and transparency in insurance and subsidy processes. This policy not only ensures equitable access to infertility treatments but also contributes to increasing birth rates and achieving Iran’s population growth objectives. Investing in financial support for infertile couples will have long-term benefits by reducing the socioeconomic burdens associated with infertility and improving household economic participation.
Keywords: Infertility, Financial Support, Health Equity, Insurance Coverage, Population Policies, Health Policy
Type of Study: Review article / Policy brief |
Subject:
روانشناسی
Received: 2025/10/8 | Accepted: 2025/10/28 | Published: 2025/11/1
Received: 2025/10/8 | Accepted: 2025/10/28 | Published: 2025/11/1
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