The Widowhood Effect–mortality and Adverse Health Effects When Losing a Spouse in Old Age

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S656-S656
Author(s):  
C.B. Kristiansen ◽  
A.B. Bojesen ◽  
P. Munk-Jørgensen ◽  
K. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Increased Risk

IntroductionLosing one's spouse is a major life event which is associated to an increased risk of mental health problems as depression and sleep-disorders. There is also an increased risk of adverse effects on physical health, and even an increased risk of mortality. A phenomena called “the widowhood effect” Though this is well-known clinically, few studies have established the extent of the problem in old age.ObjectivesThis study aims to examine the risk of mortality associated to widowhood in old age, and adverse health effects both regarding physical and mental health.MethodsA nationwide register-based case control study. All Danish people aged 65 years and above who became widowed in the period of 2000–2010 are included. A background population sample of 4:1 is matched on age and gender. By using the personal identification number a linkage between registers containing information regarding health service use, pharmacologic use and demographic information is made. Mortality is analysed using Kaplan-Meier estimate and the statistical comparison between the groups is done by Cox-regression. Adverse health effects are assessed by the health care use and pharmacological use, and are compared between the two groups by t-test, linear and logistic regression depending on the variables.ResultsThe study is under conduction, results will be presented.ConclusionsWidowhood in old age has been associated to an increased risk of mortality and adverse health effects. This study assesses the outcome of this in a nationwide register-based sample.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Municipal Solid Waste Management and Adverse Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4331
Author(s):  
Giovanni Vinti ◽  
Valerie Bauza ◽  
Thomas Clasen ◽  
Kate Medlicott ◽  
Terry Tudor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste Management ◽  
Open Burning ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Increased Risk

Municipal solid waste (MSW) can pose a threat to public health if it is not safely managed. Despite prior research, uncertainties remain and refurbished evidence is needed along with new approaches. We conducted a systematic review of recently published literature to update and expand the epidemiological evidence on the association between MSW management practices and resident populations’ health risks. Studies published from January 2005 to January 2020 were searched and reviewed following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible MSW treatment or disposal sites were defined as landfills, dumpsites, incinerators, waste open burning, transfer stations, recycling sites, composting plants, and anaerobic digesters. Occupational risks were not assessed. Health effects investigated included mortality, adverse birth and neonatal outcomes, cancer, respiratory conditions, gastroenteritis, vector-borne diseases, mental health conditions, and cardiovascular diseases. Studies reporting on human biomonitoring for exposure were eligible as well. Twenty-nine studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria of our protocol, assessing health effects only associated with proximity to landfills, incinerators, and dumpsites/open burning sites. There was some evidence of an increased risk of adverse birth and neonatal outcomes for residents near each type of MSW site. There was also some evidence of an increased risk of mortality, respiratory diseases, and negative mental health effects associated with residing near landfills. Additionally, there was some evidence of increased risk of mortality associated with residing near incinerators. However, in many cases, the evidence was inadequate to establish a strong relationship between a specific exposure and outcomes, and the studies rarely assessed new generation technologies. Evidence gaps remain, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals A review of health effects associated with exposure to jet engine emissions in and around airports

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja M. Bendtsen ◽  
Elizabeth Bengtsen ◽  
Anne T. Saber ◽  
Ulla Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Diesel Exhaust ◽  
Diesel Exhaust Particles ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
Engine Emissions ◽  
Jet Engine ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Exhaust Particles

Abstract Background Airport personnel are at risk of occupational exposure to jet engine emissions, which similarly to diesel exhaust emissions include volatile organic compounds and particulate matter consisting of an inorganic carbon core with associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals. Diesel exhaust is classified as carcinogenic and the particulate fraction has in itself been linked to several adverse health effects including cancer. Method In this review, we summarize the available scientific literature covering human health effects of exposure to airport emissions, both in occupational settings and for residents living close to airports. We also report the findings from the limited scientific mechanistic studies of jet engine emissions in animal and cell models. Results Jet engine emissions contain large amounts of nano-sized particles, which are particularly prone to reach the lower airways upon inhalation. Size of particles and emission levels depend on type of aircraft, engine conditions, and fuel type, as well as on operation modes. Exposure to jet engine emissions is reported to be associated with biomarkers of exposure as well as biomarkers of effect among airport personnel, especially in ground-support functions. Proximity to running jet engines or to the airport as such for residential areas is associated with increased exposure and with increased risk of disease, increased hospital admissions and self-reported lung symptoms. Conclusion We conclude that though the literature is scarce and with low consistency in methods and measured biomarkers, there is evidence that jet engine emissions have physicochemical properties similar to diesel exhaust particles, and that exposure to jet engine emissions is associated with similar adverse health effects as exposure to diesel exhaust particles and other traffic emissions.

scholarly journals A Review of Chlorine in Indoor Swimming Pools and its Increased Risk of Adverse Health Effects

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Angione ◽  
Heather McClenaghan ◽  
Ashley LaPlante
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Elite Swimmers ◽  
Global Statistics ◽  
Year 2000

Background: Chlorine is a commonly used agent for water disinfectant in swimming pools. Inadequate ventilation in indoor swimming pools and chlorination disinfectant by-products (DBP’s) caused by organic matter promote the increased risk of adverse health effects. Water quality and proper ventilation must be monitored to avoid health risks in youth and adolescents. Methods: Studies were researched on children and adolescents from 2-18 years old who swim indoors. Articles were limited by only including journals from the year 2000 through 2010 and contain global statistics. Peer reviewed scientific articles were reviewed and a meta-analysis of three different scientific research databases, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar, was conducted. Results and Conclusions: Children under five years of age, lifeguards and elite swimmers are at an increased risk of upper and lower respiratory symptoms, such as asthma, when exposed to chlorinated swimming frequently. Recreational swimmers who swim moderately are at a lower risk for developing occupational asthma. Implications: Reducing exposure to chlorine from indoor swimming pools may limit the risk of developing upper and lower respiratory infections. 

Understanding adverse health effects of widowhood in old age – A cross-countries mixed methods study

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S186-S187
Author(s):  
C.B. Kristiansen ◽  
P. Munk-Jørgensen ◽  
C. Mattisson ◽  
K. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Narrative Interviews ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
The Lundby Study

IntroductionWidowhood in old age increases mortality and adverse health effects, particularly depression and need for psychiatric care. The causes of this are poorly understood. To study risk factors and mechanisms, theories about what to study are needed. A qualitatively approach to widowhood from the widow/widower's perspective may uncover important knowledge.ObjectivesTo investigate risk factors of the adverse health effects associated with widowhood in old age from the perspective of the widower/widowers and to test the generalisability of the theories quantitatively.MethodsThis is a cross-country mixed methods study combining narrative interviews with Danish widows/widowers and a 50-year follow-up study from Sweden – The Lundby Study. Widows/widowers above 65 years of age referred to in- or outpatient treatment at the Department of Psychiatry at Odense or Aarhus University Hospital are included. Narrative interviews are conducted and analysed according to grounded theory. The qualitatively developed theories will then be tested quantitatively through the Lundby Study by comparing widows/widowers above 65 years with age-matched controls, who are still married.ResultsIn the Lundby Study, 597 persons above 65 years were identified in the latest follow-up: 176 (29.5%) were widow/widowers, 421 (70.5%) were married/cohabitating. Depending on the theories developed a total of 384 possible variables regarding physical health, mental health and general living circumstances are tested. Further results will be presented.ConclusionsThe causes of adverse health effects in widowhood are poorly understood. This study will potentially contribute to unravelling these by identifying possible risk factors.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals An overview of the adverse effects of cannabis use for Canadian physicians

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. E17-E34
Author(s):  
Heather Leduc-Pessah ◽  
Samuel K. Jensen ◽  
Christopher Newell
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Causal Effect ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Increased Risk

Purpose: Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance and one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances in the world, preceded only by alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. Recent changes in legislation regarding cannabis use in Canada and potential upcoming changes worldwide may have a further impact on the prevalence of cannabis use. Thus, it is critical to understand the risks and potential adverse health effects of acute and long-term cannabis use. Current literature is lacking in many areas surrounding cannabis use, and for the most part is unable to provide clear associations once confounding variables are considered. Here we provide a general overview of the history of cannabis, the physical and mental health consequences, and the risks to specific groups. Source: A scoping search of published articles in PubMed from the start date (1946) until 2018. Principal finding: Current evidence supports an association between cannabis use and mild respiratory and cardiac effects, but no clear increased risk of cancer. Psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and anxiety, show associations with cannabis use; however, a causal effect of cannabis use is unclear. While no evidence for increased risk in pregnancy has been found, risk is still undetermined. Youth may be at a greater risk as earlier initiation of use increases the risk of adverse health effects. Conclusion: Overall, evidence for direct and long-term adverse effects of cannabis use is minimal and additional longitudinal studies will be required to better delineate unidentified effects.

scholarly journals 0457 Insomnia and Cause-Specific Mortality in Men and Women

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A175-A175
Author(s):  
F He ◽  
J Fernandez-Mendoza ◽  
A N Vgontzas ◽  
S L Calhoun ◽  
D Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Abstract Introduction The association of insomnia with an increased risk of mortality has remained inconsistent across studies, which contrasts with accumulating evidence linking this prevalent and chronic sleep disorder with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, oncologic, and psychiatric morbidity. The higher prevalence of insomnia in women compared to men may be an important contributor to the different survival rates reported in large, population-based studies. Methods The Penn State Adult Cohort is a random, general population sample of 1,741 adults (48.8±13.6y, 52.2% women) who were studied in the sleep laboratory and followed-up for their cause of death up to December 31, 2018. Insomnia was defined as a chronic complaint lasting at least 1 year (n=199). We assessed the risk of all-cause mortality (n=664) and the two most common causes of death: cardiovascular/cerebrovascular (n=275) and cancer (n=161). Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, race, sex, education, smoking, alcohol, BMI, AHI, cognitive impairment, mental health problems and physical health problems, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer at baseline. Results The risk of all-cause mortality associated with insomnia was significantly increased in men (HR=1.84, 95%CI=1.18-2.87) but not in women (HR=0.80, 95%CI=0.57-1.13; p for sex-interaction<0.01). Insomnia was significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular mortality in men (HR=2.11, 95%CI=1.14-3.99), but not in women (HR=0.98, 95%CI=0.59-1.63; p for sex-interaction=0.06). Insomnia was not significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer mortality either in men (HR=1.41, 95% CI=0.56-3.56) or in women (HR=0.90, 95% CI=0.45-1.80), after adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer at baseline. Conclusion Men with chronic insomnia are at an increased risk of mortality, particularly that of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular origin. There is a need for translational studies focused on sex-differences that can disentangle the biological and behavioral mechanisms underlying women’s resilience. Support American Heart Association (14SDG19830018), National Institutes of Health (R01HL51931, R01HL40916)

Improving outcomes: Factors influencing help-seeking behaviors in immigrants and ethnic minorities with first-episode psychosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 152-157
Author(s):  
A. O. Berg ◽  
K. Leopold ◽  
S. Zarafonitis-Müller ◽  
M. Nerhus ◽  
L. H. Stouten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Service Use ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Pathways To Care ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
The Hague

Summary Background: Immigrants have increased risk of a poor recovery from first episode psychosis (FEP). Early treatment can improve prognosis, but having an immigrant background may influence pathways to care. Method: We present research of service use and factors influencing treatment outcome in immigrants with FEP. Service use was assessed in in-patients at an early intervention center in Berlin, Germany. Duration of untreated psychosis and beliefs about illness was assessed in a FEP study in Oslo, Norway and cognitive functioning in patients with FEP schizophrenia from the regular mental health services in The Hague, the Netherlands. The proportion of immigrants in Berlin and Oslo was at level with the local populations, while the proportion in The Hague appeared to be higher. Result: There were clear indications that mental health literacy, probably based in different cultural expectations, were lower in first generation immigrants (FGI). Findings regarding clinical insight were ambiguous. There were also indications that FGI had more cognitive problems, based in higher stress levels or in cognitive styles. Early psychosis services must take issues of immigration and ethnicity into consideration.

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