The health impacts of abandoned communities due to climate change
Official title: Abandoned Settlements, Abandoned Health
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-10951153 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how moving away from communities that have been abandoned because of climate change affects people's health, and it aims to help policymakers understand the long-term health impacts of these stressful life changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $425,184 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG088598-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951153 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have lived in or near communities that have been abandoned due to environmental factors, particularly those affected by climate change.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced displacement or have not lived in areas impacted by community abandonment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the abandonment of communities in the U.S. due to climate change affects the health of individuals who migrate away from these areas. It aims to create a comprehensive database of abandoned settlements since 1890 and link this data to health outcomes from historical census records. By analyzing the long-term health impacts of displacement-related stressful life events, the research seeks to understand how these events influence longevity and overall health. The findings will provide valuable insights for policymakers addressing the challenges of managed retreat in vulnerable communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for individuals affected by community abandonment and inform policies that mitigate health risks associated with displacement.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of linking abandoned settlements to health outcomes is novel, similar studies have shown that environmental factors significantly impact health, suggesting potential for meaningful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hauer, Mathew — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Hauer, Mathew
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.