In the Eye of the Storm: Quantifying the cascading impacts of cyclones
Leveraging randomly timed exposure to local cyclones as natural experiments, this study presents the first comprehensive causal analysis of cyclone impacts on Australian individuals' socio-economic wellbeing.
Utilising two decades of longitudinal data from the HILDA survey matched with historical cyclone records, individual fixed effects models reveal statistically significant and substantial increases in reported home damage.
Planned relocation intentions and actual migration moderately rise, particularly with higher severity and proximity.
Notably, while income, health, and psychological traits remain unaffected, financial hardship slightly increases, and life satisfaction significantly declines.
A heterogeneity analysis identifies key factors influencing these impacts, including gender, age, pre-existing homeownership, income, insurance coverage, rural/urban and community cyclone history.
Further, we explore coping mechanisms, finding that migration and insurance acquisition are prevalent, with the latter demonstrably mitigating future repair costs.
Additionally, cyclone-induced home damage is identified as a primary driver of observed migration patterns.
These findings illuminate the broad and often nuanced impacts of cyclones beyond immediate physical destruction, underscoring the need for targeted support and resilience-building strategies in vulnerable groups and regions.
Speaker Profile
Dr. Ha Nguyen is a Senior Research Fellow at Telethon Kids Institute, ARC Life Course Centre, and the University of Western Australia. His research interests lie in applied econometrics, focusing on health and labour economics. He has published widely in both academic and policy outlets.
Dr Nguyen actively collaborates on research projects funded by the Australian Research Council and Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. Currently, his research delves into two key areas: (1) Exploring the impact of public policies on private health insurance enrolment and healthcare utilization using MADIP/PLIDA, and (2) Understanding the factors shaping and resultant effects of children's time allocation.
Weekly seminar series
As part of the vibrant research culture at Monash Business School's Centre for Health Economics, the centre hosts a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact shannon.stanwell@monash.edu
Event Details
- Date:
- 13 March 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Venue:
- Caulfield campus, Building N, Level 1, Room N1.08
- Categories:
- CHE Seminar; Health Economics
Description
Leveraging randomly timed exposure to local cyclones as natural experiments, this study presents the first comprehensive causal analysis of cyclone impacts on Australian individuals' socio-economic wellbeing.
Utilising two decades of longitudinal data from the HILDA survey matched with historical cyclone records, individual fixed effects models reveal statistically significant and substantial increases in reported home damage.
Planned relocation intentions and actual migration moderately rise, particularly with higher severity and proximity.
Notably, while income, health, and psychological traits remain unaffected, financial hardship slightly increases, and life satisfaction significantly declines.
A heterogeneity analysis identifies key factors influencing these impacts, including gender, age, pre-existing homeownership, income, insurance coverage, rural/urban and community cyclone history.
Further, we explore coping mechanisms, finding that migration and insurance acquisition are prevalent, with the latter demonstrably mitigating future repair costs.
Additionally, cyclone-induced home damage is identified as a primary driver of observed migration patterns.
These findings illuminate the broad and often nuanced impacts of cyclones beyond immediate physical destruction, underscoring the need for targeted support and resilience-building strategies in vulnerable groups and regions.
Speaker Profile
Dr. Ha Nguyen is a Senior Research Fellow at Telethon Kids Institute, ARC Life Course Centre, and the University of Western Australia. His research interests lie in applied econometrics, focusing on health and labour economics. He has published widely in both academic and policy outlets.
Dr Nguyen actively collaborates on research projects funded by the Australian Research Council and Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. Currently, his research delves into two key areas: (1) Exploring the impact of public policies on private health insurance enrolment and healthcare utilization using MADIP/PLIDA, and (2) Understanding the factors shaping and resultant effects of children's time allocation.
Weekly seminar series
As part of the vibrant research culture at Monash Business School's Centre for Health Economics, the centre hosts a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact shannon.stanwell@monash.edu