What We Lose When Storms Strike: Hospital Economic Contribution to U.S. Society

This presentation addresses research on the economic contributions of hospitals at the national, regional, and city/non-city scales. Using Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data, we used direct-impact multiplier data to capture a measure of economic vitality of the hospital sector at these scales. Based on a U.S. Census Bureau division of the United States, the South shows the strongest relative regional economic contribution. However, this area is also the hardest hit and experiences the most cost damaging impacts. The most frequent storms are tornadoes, yet hurricanes are the most costly.