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Kroll-Desrosiers A, Copeland LA, Mengeling MA, Mattocks KM. Infertility Services for Veterans Enrolled in Veterans Health Administration Care. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:2347-2353. [PMID: 36810630 PMCID: PMC9943037 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08080-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility care is provided to Veterans through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical benefits package and includes infertility evaluation and many infertility treatments. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to examine the incidence and prevalence of infertility diagnoses and the receipt of infertility healthcare among Veterans using Veterans Health Administration (VHA) healthcare from 2018 to 2020. METHODS Veterans using the VHA and diagnosed with infertility during October 2017-September 2020 (FY18-20) were identified in VHA administrative data and through VA-purchased care (i.e., community care) claims. Infertility was categorized among men as azoospermia, oligospermia, and other and unspecified male infertility, and among women as anovulation, infertility of tubal origin, infertility of uterine origin, and other and unspecified female infertility using diagnosis and procedure codes (ICD-10, CPT). KEY RESULTS A total of 17,216 Veterans had at least one VHA infertility diagnosis in FY18, FY19, or FY20, including 8766 male Veterans and 8450 female Veterans. Incident diagnoses of infertility were observed in 7192 male Veterans (10.8/10,000 person (p)-years) and 5563 female Veterans (93.6/10,000 p-years). A large proportion of Veterans who were diagnosed with infertility received an infertility-related procedure in the year of their incident diagnosis (males: 74.7, 75.3, 65.0%, FY18-20 respectively; females: 80.9, 80.8, 72.9%, FY18-20 respectively). CONCLUSIONS In comparison to a recent study of active duty servicemembers, we found a lower rate of infertility among Veteran men and a higher rate among Veteran women. Further work is needed to investigate military exposures and circumstances that may lead to infertility. Given the rates of infertility among Veterans and active duty servicemembers, enhancing communications between Department of Defense and VHA systems regarding sources of and treatment for infertility is essential to help more men and women benefit from infertility care during military service or as Veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Kroll-Desrosiers
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA.
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Laurel A Copeland
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Michelle A Mengeling
- Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) and VA Office of Rural Health (ORH), Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Iowa City (VRHRC-IC), Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kristin M Mattocks
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Huddleston A, Ray K, Bacani R, Staggs J, Anderson RM, Vassar M. Inequities in Medically Assisted Reproduction: a Scoping Review. Reprod Sci 2023:10.1007/s43032-023-01236-6. [PMID: 37099229 PMCID: PMC10132432 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01236-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Infertility has a high prevalence in the USA and health inequities play a large role in access to medically assisted reproduction (MAR). The aim of this study was to identify gaps in research pertaining to inequities in MAR and propose suggestions for future research directions. Searches were performed using MEDLINE and Ovid Embase. Articles that reported on MAR inequities, published between 2016 and 2021 in the USA, and written in English were included. The inequities investigated were adapted from the NIH-designated health disparities populations. Each article's inequity findings were extracted and reported, along with frequencies of inequities. Our sample included 66 studies. The majority of the studies investigated MAR outcomes by race/ethnicity and found that historically marginalized populations had poorer outcomes. LGBTQ + populations were less likely to use MAR or seek infertility care. Most studies found positive correlations with MAR use with income and education. The least commonly studied inequities in our sample were sex and/or gender and rural/under-resourced populations; findings showed that men and people from rural/under-resourced populations were less likely to access MAR. Studies that examined occupational status had varying findings. We suggest that future research be targeted toward: (1) standardizing and diversifying race/ethnicity reporting regarding MAR, (2) the use of community-based participatory research to increase data for LGBTQ + patients, and (3) increasing access to infertility care for men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbi Huddleston
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17Th St, Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA.
| | - Kaylin Ray
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17Th St, Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA
| | - Rigel Bacani
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17Th St, Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA
| | - Jordan Staggs
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17Th St, Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA
| | - Reece M Anderson
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17Th St, Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA
| | - Matt Vassar
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17Th St, Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
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Canzona MR, Murphy K, Victorson D, Harry O, Clayman ML, McLean TW, Golden SL, Patel B, Strom C, Little-Greene D, Saker S, Salsman JM. Fertility Preservation Decisional Turning Points for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: Exploring Alignment and Divergence by Race and Ethnicity. JCO Oncol Pract 2023:OP2200613. [PMID: 37058685 DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE For adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer, fertility preservation (FP) decision making is complex and distressing. Racial/ethnic minority (REM) AYAs experience disparities in FP awareness, uptake, and outcomes. A turning point (TP) is a point of reflection, change, or decisive moment(s) resulting in changes in perspectives or trajectories. To enhance understanding of AYAs' diverse experiences, this study examined alignment and/or divergence of FP decisional TPs among non-Hispanic White (NHW) AYAs and REM AYAs. METHODS Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted in person, by video, or phone with 36 AYAs (20 NHW and 16 REM [nine Hispanic and seven Black/multiracial Black). The constant comparative method was used to identify and analyze themes illustrating participants' conceptualization and/or experience of FP decisional TPs. RESULTS Seven thematic TPs emerged: (1) emotional reaction to discovering FP procedures exist; (2) encountering unclear or dismissive communication during initial fertility conversations with health care providers; (3) encountering direct and supportive communication during initial fertility conversations with health care providers; (4) participating in critical family conversations about pursuing FP; (5) weighing personal desire for a child against other priorities/circumstances; (6) realizing FP is not feasible, and (7) experiencing unanticipated changes in cancer diagnosis or treatment plans/procedures. TP variations include REM participants reported dismissive communication and suggested cost was prohibitive. NHW participants emphasized more forcefully that biological children may become a future priority. CONCLUSION Understanding how clinical communication and priorities/resources may vary for NHW and REM AYAs can inform future interventions aimed at reducing health disparities and enhancing patient-centered care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie R Canzona
- Department of Communication, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Karly Murphy
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - David Victorson
- Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Onengiya Harry
- Pediatrics-Rheumatology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Marla L Clayman
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC
- Department of Population and Quantitative Research, UMass Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, MA
| | - Thomas W McLean
- Pediatrics-Hematology/and Oncology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC
| | | | - Bonnie Patel
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Carla Strom
- Operations, Office of Cancer Health Equity, Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC
| | | | - Siba Saker
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - John M Salsman
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Clinical Research in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC
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Mattocks KM, Marteeny V, Walker L, Kroll-Desrosiers A, Mengeling M. Examining Veterans' Experiences With In Vitro Fertilization Provided Under P.L. 114-223. Med Care 2023; 61:192-199. [PMID: 36689683 PMCID: PMC10006296 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Until recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical benefits package has expressly excluded in vitro fertilization (IVF) services for Veterans experiencing fertility problems. However, P.L. 114-223 (2016) allows VHA to provide Assisted Reproductive Technology, including IVF, to certain eligible Veterans. Little is known regarding Veterans' experiences accessing IVF through VA Community Care contracts with IVF providers. OBJECTIVE To examine Veterans' experiences with IVF services provided under the auspices of P.L. 114-223. RESEARCH DESIGN Telephone or video interviews were conducted with male and female Veterans and opposite-sex spouses of Veterans who had been approved for IVF. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis techniques. Major themes and representative quotes were derived from the analyses. RESULTS Ninety-six Veterans and 14 spouses participated in our interviews. Six major themes arose from these interviews, including (1) the need for improved communication regarding IVF benefits, (2) the need for expanded IVF benefits, (3) the lack of a comprehensive care coordination program, (4) poor access to IVF providers in some areas of the country, (5) special services needed for Veterans with spinal cord injuries, and (6) the IVF policy may be discriminatory in nature to single and LGBTQ Veterans. CONCLUSIONS Many Veterans with service-connected conditions related to reproductive health have taken advantage of the IVF benefit, though limitations on these benefits have prevented other Veterans from taking advantage of the IVF benefit. Further attention needs to be paid to improving communication and coordination of IVF services with ongoing VA care and ensuring special populations, including those living in rural areas and Veterans with spinal cord injuries, have access to IVF services as needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M. Mattocks
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA
| | - Valerie Marteeny
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA
| | - Lorrie Walker
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA
| | - Aimee Kroll-Desrosiers
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA
| | - Michelle Mengeling
- Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) and Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Iowa City (VRHRC-IC), Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Racial differences in men seeking fertility treatment in North America: a timely report by the Andrology Research Consortium. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:1295-1296. [PMID: 34548171 PMCID: PMC8500792 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Integrating the Influence of Sex and Gender in Research: Keeping Women Veterans in Focus. Womens Health Issues 2019; 29 Suppl 1:S9-S11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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