Migration of persons with AIDS--a search for support from elderly parents?

In this paper we investigate the interstate migration of people with AIDS to Florida under the hypothesis that a significant proportion of these moves are made to access care and support from elderly parents. We present a variety of aggregate data to support this hypothesis. Data recording interstate moves to Florida show that over 19% of interstate migrants with AIDS chose small cities and largely rural counties as their destinations, places without well-developed medical and social service facilities beneficial to people with AIDS. Moreover, the highest in-migration rates are in counties with the greatest proportion of elderly people, who are mostly retirees from other states. A Poisson regression model of destination choice indicates that the attraction of places with a high proportion of the population over 65 is statistically significant, after controlling for other factors that may also draw migrants with AIDS. We infer from analysis of trends in migration flows, that some people with AIDS may be relocating to seek support from elderly parents.

Duke Scholars

Author Clara G. Muschkin Sanford School of Public Policy