An Emory University study published Feb. 15 in Nature Mental Health shows wildfires lead to an increase of anxiety-related emergency department visits in the western United States, amplifying the concerning parallel trajectory of two escalating public health crises — mental health and climate change.
The National Institutes of Health -funded study — conducted by researchers at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health — is among the largest and most comprehensive research ever undertaken on the association between wildfire-related exposures and anxiety disorders.
Analyzing satellite-driven data and nearly 1.9 million emergency department visits across five states (California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Utah) from 2007-18, the researchers showed wildfire smoke events — which is when wildfires become the main source of ambient pollution within a ZIP code — were associated with a 6.3% increase in mental health-related emergency department visits.
In addition to this startling data, the study shows:
What the researchers say:
“The scary thing about climate change is it doesn’t have a clear boundary; you fear a lot about the unknown. Now we can use the knowledge we’ve gained to tell people there is no need to panic. When you receive a wildfire smoke alert, close your windows, limit your outdoor activities and don’t panic. Those sorts of preventative measures can potentially benefit the entire population,” says study co-author Yang Liu , PhD, chair and Gangarosa Distinguished Professor in the Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health at Rollins.
“Mental health is one of the most prevalent health conditions in the U.S. and our study found multiple pathways between wildfires and an association with severe anxiety disorders. Many people are already dealing with some mild or moderate mental health symptoms. Now imagine they wake up and see the sky covered in smoke, they’re likely going to feel even more anxious,” says the study’s lead author Qingyang Zhu , PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health.
Why it matters:
This research was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the NIH (ES034175 and ES027892). The NIH has established an NIH Climate Change and Health Initiative to reduce health threats from climate change, including mental health.
Nature Mental Health
Wildfires are associated with increased emergency department visits for anxiety disorders in the western United States
15-Feb-2024