The Invisible Health Crisis

by yaleglobalhealthreview, posted in Uncategorized

BY YASMIN MOHAMMED

The new year began with the outbreak of some of the deadliest fires in California’s history. What started as a small blaze quickly spread across nearly 40,000 acres of southern California’s dry terrain, destroying thousands of structures, claiming lives, and displacing entire communities [8]. Strong winds and prolonged drought conditions, followed by heavy rainfall, created the perfect environment for these devastating wildfires [3]. The Palisades and Eaton fires, though local in their origins, are not isolated events; rather they are representative of a much larger global issue: climate change. As global temperatures rise, drought periods worsen and the atmosphere traps more moisture, creating ideal conditions for the outbreak and spread of wildfires [6]. In California alone, there has been a five-fold increase in regions affected by wildfires [3]. The Palisades and Eaton fires affected over 20,000 people; however, these effects span beyond the visible damage witnessed through our phones or television screens [8]. Many of the impacts of wildfires on population health are not apparent at first glance, but they nonetheless will be felt by both current and future generations. 

Wildfire smoke can cause a wide range of health issues that range from short-term irritation for some to death for others. Populations who have respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma are some of the most vulnerable individuals as exposure to wildfire smoke exacerbates their pre-existing illness [2]. In the United States alone, this specific category of vulnerability spans over 26 million people [1]. Furthermore, short-term smoke exposure ranging from one to two weeks is linked to impaired mental health, worsened diabetic outcomes, and higher mortality rates among patients with kidney failure, COVID-19, those 65 and above, and individuals with cardiovascular diseases [5]. However, the Palisades and Eaton fires were not fully contained till the third week, therefore certain individuals may fall under the category of long-term smoke exposure with individuals experiencing even worse outcomes than those previously mentioned [8]. Furthermore, health effects linked to smoke exposure extend beyond physical outcomes. Mental health studies reported correlations between wildfires and depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anger issues [2].

Beyond the less visible and invisible health impacts, the burden of wildfire smoke exposure is not equally felt across populations. Marginalized communities, in particular, bear a heavier burden due to systemic inequalities. In general outdoor workers face increased exposure to smoke. Specifically, a group of outdoor workers most exposed and bearing some of the heaviest burdens are incarcerated firefighters. These firefighters constantly face life-threatening conditions and are paid a mere ten dollars a day [7]. Furthermore, incarcerated firefighters and other individuals disproportionately affected by wildfires often lack resources to combat health risks associated with smoke exposure: they are more likely to have limited access to health services, safe places for relocation, and information about protective measures and support. Thus, those most exposed and at risk for the numerous health issues associated with wildfire smoke exposure are the same individuals who will suffer most from its consequences. 

The Palisades and Eaton fires are representative of a growing global health crisis caused by natural disasters, with climate change acting as a significant contributor. Wildfires are becoming longer, more severe, and more frequent with the changing climate [4]. Populations ranging from fetus to the elderly all experience their impacts worldwide, with some affected more than others.

Yasmin Mohammed is a first-year in Pauli Murray College.

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References

  1. Celedón, Juan C., et al. “Respiratory Health Equality in the United States. The American Thoracic Society Perspective.” Annals of the American Thoracic Society, vol. 11, no. 4, May 2014, pp. 473–79. PubMed Central, 
    https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201402-059PS. 
  2. D’Evelyn, Savannah M., et al. “Wildfire, Smoke Exposure, Human Health, and Environmental Justice Need to Be Integrated into Forest Restoration and Management.” Current Environmental Health Reports, vol. 9, no. 3, Sept. 2022, pp. 366–85. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-022-00355-7. 
  3. “How Weather Driven by Climate Change Helped Fuel the Southern California Fires.” NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025, 
    https://www.nbcnews.com/science/climate-change/california-fires-weather-climate-chang e-rcna190892. 
  4. Kharb, Aditi, et al. “Valuing Human Impact of Natural Disasters: A Review of Methods.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 19, no. 18, Sept. 2022, p. 11486. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811486. 
  5. Ma, Yiqun, et al. “Long-Term Exposure to Wildland Fire Smoke PM2.5 and Mortality in the Contiguous United States.” medRxiv, June 2024, p. 2023.01.31.23285059. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.31.23285059. 
  6. Macias Fauria, Marc, et al. “Predicting Climate Change Effects on Wildfires Requires Linking Processes across Scales.” WIREs Climate Change, vol. 2, no. 1, Jan. 2011, pp. 99–112. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.92.
  7. Osgood, Brian. “Why Incarcerated Workers Play a Key Role in Fighting California’s Fires.” Al Jazeera, 
    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/31/why-incarcerated-workers-play-a-key-role-in -fighting-californias-fires. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025. 
  8. Team, FOX 11 Digital. “18 Victims of Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire Identified.” FOX 11, 25 Jan. 2025, https://www.foxla.com/news/palisades-eaton-fire-victims-california-wildfires.

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