Now Recruiting Study Participants: Lupus & the Los Angeles Wildfires

An mountainside in Los Angeles on fire with palm trees in the foreground.
By UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing
1 min read

This study looks at how women with lupus experienced the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. Some studies suggest that air pollution may worsen lupus symptoms, but there is very little research on wildfire smoke specifically.

In this study, we are asking:

  • Did the wildfires affect lupus symptoms?

  • How did women with lupus try to protect their health?

  • Were they able to access healthcare and community resources?

By learning from women’s experiences, this research aims to improve care, information, and support for people with lupus during wildfires and other climate-related events.

Join a focus group about lupus and the wildfires:

  • help researchers understand how the wildfires affected women with lupus
  • $75 gift card for participating
  • virtual and in-person options available
  • voluntary participation

You may be eligible if you:

  • are a woman aged 18-55
  • have been diagnosed with lupus
  • lived in Los Angeles during the January 2025 wildfires
  • speak fluent English or Spanish

What to expect:

  • one 90-minute group chat with researchers and other women with lupus

See If You're Eligible

This is a UCLA research study.