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Maui Wildfires Spark Mental Health Crisis, Study Finds

3/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found the August 2023 Maui wildfires raised depression and anxiety, including among residents outside burn zones.
The study analyzed 2,453 adults and found housing instability and income loss were central to the mental health crisis.
Residents in burn areas faced a 53% higher depression risk and a 67% higher anxiety risk.

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Story summary

The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found the August 2023 Maui wildfires raised depression and anxiety, including among residents outside burn zones.
The study analyzed 2,453 adults and found housing instability and income loss were central to the mental health crisis.
Residents in burn areas faced a 53% higher depression risk and a 67% higher anxiety risk.