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Why climate change is hurting older Americans' finances

Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to climate-driven extreme weather like hurricanes, floods and heat waves because they often live on fixed incomes, are less able to rebuild their financial lives after a disaster and suffer a cascade of medical and other problems if they are displaced from their homes. Research suggests, as housing prices rise and the population in the U.S. ages, the problem is only growing.

Copyright 2024 NPR

Sophia Schmidt
Lauren Sommer covers climate change for NPR's Science Desk, from the scientists on the front lines of documenting the warming climate to the way those changes are reshaping communities and ecosystems around the world.
Leila Fadel is a national correspondent for NPR based in Los Angeles, covering issues of culture, diversity, and race.