Investigating the health impacts of the Maui wildfires on local communities
Official title: The Maui Wildfire Exposure Cohort Study on Community Health and Resilience
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-10975843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the Maui wildfires have affected the health and well-being of local residents, including Native Hawaiians and Filipino Americans, by tracking 1,000 people over five years to see how they cope with stress and any health changes compared to those who weren't affected, all to help improve recovery efforts for the community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,454,988 |
| NIH project number | 1R61MD019793-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are residents of Maui who were directly affected by the wildfires and belong to diverse ethnic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who were not affected by the Maui wildfires or do not reside in the impacted areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the health and socioeconomic effects of the Maui wildfires on a diverse group of residents, including Native Hawaiians and Filipino Americans. It will involve a cohort of 1,000 participants who will be surveyed and have their biological samples analyzed to assess stress and exposure to harmful substances. The study will track these individuals over five years to observe changes in health and socioeconomic status, comparing them to those not exposed to the wildfires. The findings aim to inform disaster recovery efforts and improve community resilience.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and strategies for addressing health disparities and improving recovery efforts in communities affected by natural disasters.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown success in understanding the health impacts of environmental disasters, making this approach both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Juarez, Ruben — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Juarez, Ruben
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.