John Knodel
Research Professor,
University of Michigan, Population Studies Center
Ph.D., Princeton University
M.A., Princeton University
B.A., Duke University
Related Interests
Dr. Knodel has conducted research in the areas of social demography in developing countries (specializing in Southeast Asia and particularly Thailand) and European historical demography. His current research focuses on Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam and involves studies of the status of and support systems for the elderly, the impact of the AIDS epidemic on older persons, and family change.
Related Projects
Socio-demographic Impact of AIDS Epidemic on Elderly in Thailand
The overarching goal of this project is to advance an empirically grounded understanding of how the AIDS epidemic directly and indirectly affects older persons (defined as 50 and above) in a developing country setting, and to advance the methodologies necessary to achieve this understanding. Our research focused on Thailand, a country with a medium level of HIV. To achieve this goal, we collected extensive quantitative and qualitative data using a variety of methods and also took advantage of limited preexisting data. While we explore how older persons themselves may be put at risk of contracting HIV and AIDS, our main focus is on the various indirect impacts on older persons associated with the infection of their adult children. Such indirect impacts include economic and opportunity costs associated with care giving to infected children, potential loss of old age support from infected children, raising orphaned grandchildren, and health related effects, including physical and psychological strain. We also examine coummity reaction and AIDS related stigma. We use microsimulation techniques to estimate the number of older persons who will suffer the death of a child due to AIDS; and a combination of surveys, in depth interviews, and key informant interviews to assess the types and intensity of these effects. We published a large number of research reports, journal articles and book chapters from the project. (See longer description for more details).
The Impact of AIDS, Poverty, and Social Upheaval on the Elderly: The Case of Cambodia
This project collects and analyzes data from a representative survey of persons aged 60 and over in Cambodia conducted in 2004. The survey is intended to provide information on the current social, economic and health status of older persons; to assess the impact of the political turmoil of the last few decades on their support structures, health, and economic well-being; to examine the impact of the AIDS epidemic on their well-being; and to assess their knowledge and attitudes related to AIDS. (See longer description for more details).
Related Publications
Knodel J. Forthcoming. 2006. "Parents of Persons with AIDS: Unrecognized Contributions and Unmet Needs." Journal of Global Ageing
Knodel J. 2006. Poverty and the Impact of AIDS on Older Persons: Evidence from Cambodia and Thailand. PSC Research Report 06-597. [Full Text]
Knodel J, and Zimmer Z. 2006. Older Persons, AIDS Knowledge, and Willingness to Provide Care in an Impoverished Nation: Evidence from Cambodia. PSC Research Report 06-602. Population Studies Center, University of Michigan. [Full Text]
Knodel J, Zimmer Z, Kiry KS, and Puch S. 2006. The Impact of Aids on Older-age Parents in Cambodia. PSC Research Report 06-594. [Full Text]
Knodel J, and Im-em W. 2004. "The Economic Consequences for Parents of Losing an Adult Child to AIDS: Evidence from Thailand." Social Science & Medicine 59(5): 987-1001. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 02-504. October 2003.)
Knodel J, and Saengtienchai C. 2004. AIDS and Older Persons: The View from Thailand. in Living Longer. Ageing, development and Social protection. P. Lloyd-Sherlock, Ed. London: ZED. pp. 249-274. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 02-497, February 2002.)
Knodel J, and VanLandingham M. 2003. "Return Migration in the Context of Parental Assistance in the AIDS Epidemic: The Thai Experience." Social Science & Medicine 57(2): 327-342. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 01-492. November 2001.)
Knodel J, VanLandingham M, Saengtienchai C, Im-em W, and Kespichayawattana J. 2003. Data Collection Strategies for Studying the Impacts of AIDS on Older Parents: Lessons from Research in Thailand. PSC Research Report No. 03-537. Population Studies Center, University of Michigan.
Knodel J, Watkins S, and VanLandingham M. 2003. "AIDS and Older Persons: An International Perspective." JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology 33:S153-S165. (Supplement 2 Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report No. 02-495, January 2002.)
VanLandingham M, and Knodel J. 2003. Sex and the Single (Older) Guy: Sexual Lives of Older Unmarried Thai Men During the AIDS Era. PSC Research Report No. 03-536. Population Studies Center, University of Michigan.
Wachter K, Knodel J, and VanLandingham M. 2003. "Parental Bereavement: Heterogeneous Impacts of AIDS in Thailand." Journal of Econometrics 112: 193-206. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 01-493, November 2001.)
Im-em W, VanLandingham M, Knodel J, and Saengtienchai C. 2002. "HIV/AIDS-related Knowledge and Attitudes: A Comparison of Older Persons and Young Adults in Thailand." AIDS Education and Prevention 14: 246-262. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report No. 01-464.)
Knodel J, and VanLandingham M. 2002. "The Impact of the AIDS Epidemic on Older Persons." AIDS 16 (suppl 4): S77-S83.
Knodel J, Im-em W, Saengtienchai C, VanLandingham M, and Kespichayawattana J. 2002. The Impact of an Adult Child’s Death due to AIDS on Older-aged Parents: Results from a Direct Interview Survey. IPSC Research Report No. 266. Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University; Thailand. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 02-498, April 2002.)
Wachter K, Knodel J, and VanLandingham M. 2002. "AIDS and the Elderly of Thailand: Projecting Familial Impacts." Demography 39(1): 25-41. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 00-446, May 2000.)
Im-em W, VanLandingham M, Knodel J, and Saengtienchai C. 2001. Knowledge and Attitudes of Older People about HIV/AIDS in Thailand: A Comparison with Young Adults. IPSC Research Report No. 257. Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Thailand. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report No. 01-464, 2001.)
Knodel J, and Chayovan N. 2001. "Sexual Activity among the Older Population in Thailand: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey." Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 16(2): 173-200. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 00-445, May 2000.)
Knodel J, Saengtienchai C, Im-em W, and VanLandingham M. 2001. "The Impact of AIDS on Parents and Families in Thailand: A Key Informant Approach." Reseach on Aging 23(6): 633-670.
Knodel J, VanLandingham M, Saengtienchai C, and Im-em W. 2001. "Older People and AIDS: Quantitative Evidence of the Impact in Thailand." Social Science & Medicine 52 (9): 1313-1327. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 00-443, January 2000.)
Saengtienchai C, and Knodel J. 2001. Parents providing care to adult sons and daughters with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. UNAIDS Case Study, Best Practice Collection Geneva: UNAIDS. (Also issued as “Parental Caregiving to Adult Children with Aids: A Qualitative Analysis of Circumstances and Consequences in Thailand.” Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 01-481, July 2001.)
Knodel J, Saengtienchai C, Im-em W, and VanLandingham M. 2000. The Impact of Thailand’s AIDS Epidemic on Older Persons: Quantitative Evidence from a Survey of Key Informants. IPSC Research Report No. 252. Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Thailand. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 00-448, July 2000.)
VanLandingham M, Knodel J, Im-em W, and Saengtienchai C. 2000. "The Impacts of HIV/AIDS on Older Populations in Developing Countries: Some observations based upon the Thai Case." Journal of Family Issues 21 (6): 777-805. (Also issued as Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Research Report 99-441, October 1999 (Revised June 2000).)