Climate Change Impacts on Population Mobility in the United States

Climate change is reshaping population dynamics across the United States, as disasters, rising temperatures, and increased risk of flooding influence patterns of displacement and migration. Despite growing concern, our understanding of climate-induced mobility remains limited, particularly for vulnerable populations. This study will explore the impact of climate-related exposures on mobility using individual-level data from Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. By analyzing a comprehensive dataset covering 40% of the U.S. population from 2005- 2020, the researchers will track annual ZIP code-level mobility to understand responses to various climate events, such as floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. This research will offer nuanced insights into how different disasters affect long-term mobility and will help identify vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted. The findings will be instrumental for developing effective climate adaptation strategies, enhancing disaster preparedness, and informing U.S. climate policy. This study will also lay the groundwork for future research and funding opportunities and will provide a new data resource that can be used by other scholars at the University of Chicago.

“Climate disasters uproot lives – but who moves, where do they go, and what happens to their health? By tracking millions of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, this study will map how climate shocks impact and reshape American communities. The insights will inform disaster response and climate adaptation strategies to protect the most vulnerable populations as climate threats intensify.”

Kate Burrows, Department of Public Health Sciences