Research Symposium

BIO

Mikala Abdullah is a second-year senior from Weeki Wachee, Florida, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Risk Management and Insurance. She is an active participant in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), where she studies Health Insurance Enrollments in Louisiana Following Hurricane Katrina under the mentorship of Dr. Born. Her research analyzes data to evaluate how a catastrophic event can impact insurance enrollment trends.

In addition to her research experience, Mikala has gained industry exposure through her compliance internship with FrankCrum. In this role, she contributes to regulatory research, licensing processes, and corporate compliance initiatives, strengthening her understanding of insurance operations and governance.

Mikala plans to pursue a Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance to further expand her expertise. Her long-term career goal is to pursue a career in cyber risk analysis within the insurance industry, where she can contribute to managing emerging technological risks.

Health Insurance Enrollments In Louisiana Following Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

This study examines how health insurance enrollment and direct written premiums in Louisiana changed by using statewide data from 2001 to 2010 to analyze trends before and after the disaster. It compares three key periods: the pre-disaster years (2001–2004), the immediate aftermath (2005–2007), and the later recovery period. The findings show a disruption in both enrollment and premiums around 2005, indicating a short-term shock to the insurance market. However, trends gradually stabilized in the following years, suggesting recovery rather than a permanent decline in coverage. Overall, the study concludes that large disasters may temporarily disrupt insurance markets without causing long-term contraction and recommends that future research incorporate more detailed data, including distinctions between public and private insurance coverage.

Keywords: Insurance, Health Insurance, Hurricanes