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Socio-economic differences in ART treatment success: Evidence from Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Cozzani

    (Università degli Studi di Firenze)

  • Daniele Vignoli

    (Università degli Studi di Firenze)

  • Valentina Tocchioni

    (Università degli Studi di Firenze)

  • Maria Elisabetta Coccia

    (Careggi University Hospital)

  • Emilia Giusti

    (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna)

  • Sara Landini

    (Università degli Studi di Firenze)

  • Francesca Piazzini

    (Careggi University Hospital)

Abstract

Background: Several studies have shown stark socioeconomic disparities in births resulting from assisted reproduction technology (ART), but only a few have investigated the underlying causes. An explanation may be possible inequalities in ART treatment success. Objective: This study investigates whether there are disparities in ART treatment success. We use observational data from women undergoing ART treatment at the ART center at Careggi Hospital in Florence. We analyze three outcomes: the probability of conception following ART, the probability of a miscarriage after conception, and the probability of a live birth. We further examine these disparities across population subgroups, including first-time or last-time patients, Italian-born individuals, and different age groups. Methods: We estimate baseline and adjusted logistic models and display predicted probabilities. Results: The results show no socioeconomic disparities between more and less advantaged patients in any of the outcomes considered. These findings are consistent across all the subgroups we investigated. Contribution: We explore a possible mechanism underlying ART birth disparities and highlight that these disparities do not appear to arise from treatment success, at least when treatments are performed in a widely subsidized public context in Italy.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Cozzani & Daniele Vignoli & Valentina Tocchioni & Maria Elisabetta Coccia & Emilia Giusti & Sara Landini & Francesca Piazzini, 2025. "Socio-economic differences in ART treatment success: Evidence from Italy," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 53(20), pages 611-628.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:53:y:2025:i:20
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2025.53.20
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Ester Lazzari & Edith Gray & Georgina Chambers, 2021. "The contribution of assisted reproductive technology to fertility rates and parity transition: An analysis of Australian data," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 45(35), pages 1081-1096.
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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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