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A new study published in Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health reveals how cultural values and community ties shape the health, resilience, and well-being of immigrant communities—especially when facing natural disasters that are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Victoria Ramenzoni, associate professor in the Department of Human Ecology and an affiliate of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute, is a co-author on the study. You can read the full study here.
The authors explored how immigrant groups from different parts of the world define and experience health—not just as the absence of illness, but as something deeply connected to social relationships, cultural traditions, work opportunities, and access to nature. Participants described health in ways that often reflected their cultural heritage: some communities emphasized harmony with nature and spiritual well-being, while others focused on economic security or strong family networks.
When it comes to disasters like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and droughts, these cultural perspectives strongly influence response strategies. For example, some groups relied heavily on extended family networks to share resources and provide shelter, while others turned to faith-based organizations for support. In certain communities, traditional ecological knowledge guided decisions about safe relocation areas or food storage practices during crises. These approaches often differed from standardized emergency plans, highlighting the need for culturally adapted disaster response systems.
Climate is now widely recognized as a major driver of global migration and population mobility. As changing weather patterns and extreme events force more people to move, understanding how cultural perspectives influence health and disaster response becomes critical for building resilience.
These findings carry important lessons for policymakers, health agencies, and community organizations. By tailoring health programs and disaster response plans to match the cultural realities of immigrant populations, leaders can improve trust, increase participation in preparedness efforts, and ensure resources are distributed more equitably.
This article was written with assistance from Artificial Intelligence, was reviewed and edited by Oliver Stringham, and was reviewed by Victoria Ramenzoni, a co-author on the study.
