Understanding how older adults in Indian cities develop health issues after severe floods

Acquisition of disability and chronic morbidity by older Indians following extreme urban coastal flooding events

NIH-funded research Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11193435

This project looks at how extreme urban floods in India affect the health and well-being of older adults, specifically focusing on new disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (College Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-11193435 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We are exploring how older adults in low and middle-income countries, who often rely on their families, are impacted when their homes and communities are hit by severe flooding. This work uses information collected before and after major floods in Indian coastal cities like Mumbai and Chennai to see how these events changed people's health. We want to understand if these floods led to new disabilities or long-term health problems for individuals aged 50 and above. Our goal is to identify the social and economic factors, as well as changes in living situations, that might make older adults more vulnerable to health issues after a flood.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This project focuses on data from older adults in India who experienced extreme urban coastal flooding events between 2005 and 2007.

Not a fit: Patients outside of the specific demographic and geographic scope of this historical data analysis would not directly benefit from this particular project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help communities and policymakers better prepare for and support older adults in urban areas affected by extreme weather events, potentially reducing the risk of disability and chronic illness.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of extreme flooding events and panel survey data is unique, other studies have shown links between natural disasters and long-term health outcomes.

Where this research is happening

College Park, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.