The hidden deaths and persistent health problems connected to Maui and LA wildfires

Three new research studies were published examining the impacts of the 2023 wildfires in Maui and 2025 Los Angeles wildfires beyond direct deaths. Researchers observed significant increases in suicide rates, interruptions in medical care, and other mental health concerns attributable to the fires.

Associated Press published a news piece about the stuidies and tapped Dr. Jonathan Patz for comment about the importance of this work in understanding the health risk of extreme climatic events.

The studies, published in two American Medical Association journals, add “a really important piece to the understanding of the true health risks from these extreme climatic events,” said Dr. Jonathan Patz, a University of Wisconsin environmental public health researcher who was not involved in the papers.

The piece was picked up by several other news outlets including PBS and Politico. The link to the original AP article can be found here.