Abstract for: Understanding the Impact of Climate Change on Abortion Access in Florida using Systems Dynamics Modeling

This study aims to understand the impact of climate change on abortion access in Florida through systems dynamics modeling. Reproductive-age individuals in Florida face significant barriers to safe abortion due to socio-political factors and the state's vulnerability to climate events. With a backdrop of increasingly restrictive abortion legislation and a high frequency of hurricanes, the study investigates how extreme weather further disrupts access to abortion services and exacerbates the adverse consequences for people who are not able to access standard (safe) abortions. Through systems dynamics modeling, the research explores the interconnected dynamics between climate events, abortion clinic accessibility, and the decision-making process of people with unintended pregnancies. The model simulates scenarios considering clinic closures, delays in appointment times, and the potential rise of unsafe abortions in the face of climate disasters. By analyzing these complex interactions, the study sheds light on the compounded effect of climate events on abortion access, the gap in literature that currently exists on this topic, and the urgent need for resilience measures to safeguard abortion access amidst the escalating impacts of climate change in Florida.