Socioeconomic Status and Functional Limitations in the Wake of Natural Disasters: Insights from India

Neerad Deshmukh, University of Maryland, College Park

This study examines the interplay between socioeconomic status and functional limitations among older adults in India following adverse natural events. While natural phenomena such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, initiate disasters, the ensuing crisis is not just a function of natural forces but the interplay between these forces and other factors including the built environment, and the social conditions. Utilizing longitudinal data from the India Human Development Survey (2004-2012), this research explores how baseline socioeconomic conditions influence the extent to which natural disasters exacerbate functional limitations in older populations. Functional limitations, indicative of morbidity and reduced quality of life, are assessed through a score derived from activities of daily living. Preliminary results reveal that exposure to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, is associated with varied impacts on functional limitations. Specifically, while overall disaster exposure does not significantly alter functional limitations, exposure to certain types of disasters, such as hailstorms, significantly increases the likelihood of deterioration.

Keywords: Population, Environment, and Climate Change

See extended abstract.