Long-Term Heart Disease Risks in Elderly After Hurricane Sandy

Recent research from Weill Cornell Medicine and New York University has highlighted that the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 has long-lasting effects on the cardiovascular health of older adults, despite the storm's material damage being repaired. The study, published on September 3, 2025, in JAMA Network Open, reveals that seniors living in flood-affected areas in New Jersey faced a 5% higher risk of developing heart disease over the following five years. This research is notable for being one of the first to rigorously quantify the extended health risks associated with flooding from natural disasters in the older population.

The investigation utilized Medicare data from over 120,000 seniors aged 65 and above, spanning regions in New Jersey, New York City, and Connecticut, within five years post-storm. Researchers compared ZIP code areas inundated during Hurricane Sandy with nearby unaffected neighborhoods, controlling for variables such as age, income, race, and pre-existing health conditions. Using sophisticated statistical models, the team tracked the incidence of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure in individuals who remained in their communities.

Dr. Arnab Ghosh, the study’s lead author, emphasized the importance of understanding long-term health outcomes as climate-related hurricanes become more frequent. The findings suggest that flood zones, especially in New Jersey, exhibited sustained increases in heart failure rates, persisting for four to five years after Sandy. The study also noted regional differences, with New York City experiencing an 8% increase in mortality, while Connecticut faced a 19% rise.

The research indicates that socio-economic factors played a significant role; flooded areas in New Jersey had higher deprivation indices and lower median incomes, which are associated with worse health outcomes and limited access to healthcare. These communities also experienced prolonged environmental, emotional, and social stressors, including reduced community support.

Furthermore, a related study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that the mortality rate among elderly residents in flooded areas increased by approximately 9% over five years, with regional variations. These insights underline the critical need for disaster preparedness plans that encompass long-term health management and chronic disease support, especially in aging populations vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Dr. Ghosh advocates for integrating chronic disease monitoring into disaster response strategies and highlights regional differences that require customized healthcare infrastructure and resource allocation. The researchers plan to extend their analysis to other weather-related events, such as wildfires and tornadoes, and to evaluate the financial impacts on healthcare systems like Medicare and Medicaid.

This study underscores that the health consequences of natural disasters are not merely immediate but can persist for years, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive, long-term public health policies.