Research Symposium

BIO

Karolina Zagula is a pre-dental student majoring in Pre-Clinical Professions in the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences program at Florida State University. She is passionate about science and research and is currently involved in undergraduate research examining the impact of catastrophes across the United States on health and dental insurance enrollment, with a focus on understanding how public health and policy influence access to care.

Beyond academics, Karolina is an active member of the Florida State University Cheerleading Team and participates in the Pre-Dental Society, where she connects with peers who share her interest in dentistry and healthcare. She also works as a lifeguard, where she is responsible for maintaining safety and responding to emergencies. Her involvement in research, campus organizations, employment, and clinical shadowing has reinforced her commitment to pursuing a career in healthcare.

Karolina plans to earn a Bachelor of Science degree and aspires to attend dental school. Her goal is to become a dentist and provide the same compassionate, high-quality care that made a lasting impression on her growing up.

The Impact of Catastrophes on Health and Dental Insurance Enrollment

Abstract

Natural disasters and major catastrophes can cause significant physical, emotional, and financial strain on individuals and communities. These events often disrupt access to healthcare while increasing medical needs, making health and dental insurance an important form of protection. Despite this, limited research has examined how catastrophic events influence individuals’ decisions to obtain insurance coverage. This research paper investigates the impact of major catastrophes on health and dental insurance enrollment in the United States, focusing on how large-scale disasters shape decisions to seek coverage. Enrollment and demographic data were obtained directly from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace and therefore reflect only states participating in this database. Catastrophe data including disaster type, economic loss, total injuries, and fatalities from 2018 to 2025 were obtained from the Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database (SHELDUS). The data was organized in Excel and analyzed using STATA-18 SE, where datasets were coded, merged, and statistically examined to compare enrollment patterns before and after major disaster events. The analysis revealed that health insurance enrollment increased by approximately 16.05%, while dental insurance enrollment increased by about 3.64% following major catastrophes. These increases suggest that individuals may become more aware of health and financial vulnerabilities after disasters and are more likely to seek insurance coverage as a form of protection. Overall, these findings indicate that catastrophic events shape public perceptions of risk and preparedness, influencing long-term healthcare decisions. This research highlights the importance of policies and outreach efforts that improve access to coverage in disaster-affected communities.

Keywords: Catastrophes, Health insurance, Dental insurance, Insurance enrollment, Disaster policy