Infertility, seen from society’s point of view, is a serious medical, social and economical problem. From a couple's point of view it can represent failure and inability. It affects approximately 15% of the population in
child bearing years. The treatment is often expensive and tends to be symptomatic rather than cause related. There are a few known risk factors for infertility, for example the increase in age of first time mothers. Other, more lifestyle related, factors are smoking and overweight. This project would like to expand the opportunities for improved diagnosis and treatment in the Öresund region and furthermore to focus on what can be done to prevent this expanding health problem. All couples in the Öresund region suffering from infertility should get equal, top quality diagnosis and treatment.
The project Reprosund was initiated by Prof. Jens Sønksen, Urological Clinic at Herlev Hospital and Prof. Aleksander Giwercman, the Reproductive Medicine Centre at Malmö University Hospital, who for several years have lead a research based cooperation. Representing two countries they have seen the potential in a cross border collaboration in the field of reproductive medicine.
By initiating task forces with specialists from Denmark and Sweden mixed in groups, the project will analyze key areas for development, building structures for education and to expand research initiatives, give treatment and striving for the establishing of high competence centres in a number of key competencies. Through communication at different levels and by showing a structure of how it can be done, the ambition is to increase patient mobility so that the optimal treatment is available independent of whether that is cross border or closer to home.
With three key target groups, ranging from care givers (practitioners and educators) and care takers, a diversified group with different ethnic origins, cultures, religions and social backgrounds, continuous communication is essential and will be done via web, information leaflets and work shops.
Initially, the ambition is to create the structure for new courses and education, mixing and building on specialist competences in Sweden and Denmark. Another key focus area is to prepare and open up for treatment and for increased mobility of patients. Longer term, this project is a springboard to establish high competence centers that prove attractive not only to the region but also will take the lead in an international perspective.

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