Publication: CapRadio

UCLA Expert: David Eisenman:

David Eisenman: Professor-in-Residence, Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health; Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine; Director, Center for Public Health and Disasters; Deputy Director for Community Partnerships, Center for Healthy Climate Solutions

Synopsis: Wildfire smoke impacts more Californians than ever, according to a new report.

UCLA News: The report references Eisenman’s research on the effects that far-reaching, lingering smoke has on the mental health of Californians all over the state. He compared its impacts to those associated with the early-pandemic “lockdown,” when people were advised to stay indoors as much as possible.. “The wildfires can occur hundreds of miles away, but the smoke drifts down and can linger for weeks and weeks at a time,” Eisenman said. “And there’s no doubt that we’ll have more of this experience in California.” Heavy smoke, which can be physically dangerous, also keeps people indoors. Eisenman said the smoke then cuts people off from community support and can add to economic distress.

Read more at CapRadio.