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Millions unable to access treatment
1 in 6 couples in the world are unable to achieve a pregnancy
within the first 12 months of trying. Even though there are
many simple and effective methods of improving the chances
of becoming pregnant, a staggering 94% of these people (about
90 million worldwide) do not receive the help they need.
In fact, 85% of them do not seek help at all which is thought
to be due to a fear that many have of being diagnosed as "infertile"
when in fact they are simply having difficulty conceiving,
which can often be remedied through modern treatments, many
of which are simple and effective.
In addition, 9% of the couples that do enter the treatment
care pathway pull out, mainly because they find the process
confusing and/or difficult to access.
This leaves only 6% of couples struggling to achieve
a pregnancy that actually receive the help they need.
New International Taskforce to address
challenges
To address these challenges, support groups and health professionals
from more than 20 countries around the world joined together
earlier this year to form the Assisted Conception Taskforce
(ACT). ACT initiatives aim to provide people with information
and guidance about the simple and effective approaches, including
treatments that can be taken to help them achieve a pregnancy.
ACT consists of a Steering
Committee and a Wider
Membership Taskforce which have designed a number of initiatives
to help those who are having difficulty becoming pregnant.
Global standard of care charter
The ACT Charter: Clinics
and support organizations from around the world are signing
up to demonstrate their support for the principles of care
outlined in the ACT Charter.
Growing list of supporting organizations
and ACT registered clinics
Centers around the world that have registered their support
for the ACT Charter will be listed in the Center Locator. The list will be available to all those seeking
help in trying to have a baby and will serve to guide them
with confidence to clinics that commit/promise to provide
healthcare information, support and advice in line with the
Charter's principles.
Step-by-step patient guide
The ACT Pathway is
an information booklet designed to assist those having difficulty
achieving a pregnancy with a step-by-step guide through what
can be a bewildering process towards assisted conception.
In handy A6 pocket-size, couples can refer to the ACT Pathway
booklet at moments of concern to shine light on the route
forward. It aims to reduce the number of people that drop
out of care because they find it confusing, and encourage
those yet to seek help to do so if they are having difficulty
becoming pregnant.
Media downloads
To download latest news and press/media information visit
the Media page. In addition
to Press Releases and Media Backgrounders, the download section
will provide an archive which is being built to include success
stories and case studies that demonstrate the positive outcomes
that ACT initiatives have had.
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