Maui Wildfire Survivors Face Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Challenges

Public Health Report Findings

• 💡 A recent public health report surveyed approximately 2,000 individuals affected by the Maui wildfires to assess community healing and support needs.
• 📌 The top-line finding indicates that many survivors are still experiencing emotional, physical, and social effects two years after the disaster.

Adult Health Impacts

• 📊 41% of surveyed adults reported their health worsened compared to the previous year.
• 📈 74% of adults are experiencing elevated hypertensive blood pressure.
• 😔 50% of adults reported depressive symptoms.
• 😟 26% of adults reported moderate to severe anxiety.

Rebuilding and Employment Challenges

• 🏠 41% of adults are still residing in temporary housing.
• 💼 25% of surveyed adults remain unemployed.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Despite these difficulties, 61% of adults reported receiving significant support from family and friends.

Children's Well-being Concerns

• 🧠 Over half of children surveyed (ages 10-17) screened positive for depression, with 22% in the severe range.
• 😰 Approximately 30% of children reported anxiety symptoms.
• ⚠️ Nearly 45% of children continue to show signs of PTSD.

Children's Physical Health Data

• 😷 20% of surveyed children reported experiencing trouble breathing.
• 🩺 One in three children reported high or elevated blood pressure.
• ⚠️ The data suggests a long and challenging road to recovery for the community, even as on-the-ground conditions may seem to improve.