A Florida couple's hopes for a baby were shattered when Hurricane Ian forced the cancellation of their long-awaited IVF procedure.
Zoya Teirstein and Jessica Kutz report for The 19th.
This story is part of a collaboration between Grist, Vox, and The 19th.
- Kirsti and Justin Mahon had spent years and significant financial resources on IVF to overcome infertility.
- Their final embryo transfer was canceled due to Hurricane Ian, causing emotional and financial strain.
- IVF clinics, like many infrastructures, are vulnerable to climate change-induced storms, complicating already delicate procedures.
Key quote:
“Clearly, climate change means you are having more extreme weather events, and [I] think that, like every other part of society, from homeowners to hospitals, fertility clinics have to think a bit more about how they can build more resilient systems.”
— Scott Tipton, chief advocacy and policy officer with the American Society of Reproductive Medicine
Why this matters:
Climate change is intensifying storms, disrupting critical medical treatments like IVF. As extreme weather events become more frequent, the need for resilient healthcare infrastructure grows, impacting the emotional and physical well-being of vulnerable individuals and families.
