Seasonal migration and health care

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gerontology
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Seasonal migrants, often referred to as snowbirds, represent a growing demographic in Sunbelt urban areas.
• Understanding their healthcare utilization is crucial for public health planning and resource allocation.
• Previous research has focused on Canadian snowbirds in Florida, necessitating broader investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine healthcare use and associated issues among seasonal migrants in Phoenix, Arizona.
• To identify factors influencing healthcare utilization patterns in this population.
• To explore the relationship between social/emotional attachments and healthcare needs.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among 230 American and Canadian snowbirds residing in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Data collected included demographic information, healthcare usage, and duration/frequency of winter stays.
• Statistical analysis was employed to determine variations in healthcare use based on key factors.

Main Results:

• Healthcare use among seasonal migrants in Phoenix was substantial.
• Utilization varied significantly based on citizenship (American vs. Canadian), age, number of winter visits, and length of stay.
• Findings suggest healthcare use is linked to social and emotional attachments to the winter residence.

Conclusions:

• Seasonal migrants in Phoenix exhibit considerable healthcare needs influenced by personal and temporal factors.
• The development of social and emotional ties to winter residences appears to correlate with healthcare utilization.
• This population generally perceives their lifestyle as healthy and plans to continue seasonal migration as health permits.