The Physical and Mental Health Challenges Experienced by 9/11 First Responders and Recovery Workers: A Review of the Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 625-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin C. Smith ◽  
Lisa Holmes ◽  
Frederick M. Burkle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
First Responders ◽  
September 11 ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Challenges

AbstractIntroduction:In the years following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York (USA), otherwise known as 9/11, first responders and recovery workers began experiencing a range of physical and mental health challenges. Publications documenting these provide an important evidence-base identifying exposure-related health challenges associated with environmental exposures from the World Trade Center (WTC) site and describe the key lessons learned regarding both physical and mental health challenges (including symptoms and defined conditions) from the 9/11 disaster response.Methods:A systematic literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychInfo databases (September 11, 2001 to September 11, 2018) using relevant search terms, truncation symbols, and Boolean combination functions. Publications were limited to journal articles that documented the physical or mental health challenges of 9/11 on first responders or recovery workers.Results:A total of 156 publications were retrieved by the search strategy. The majority (55%) reported a quantitative methodology, while only seven percent reported the use of a qualitative research methodology. Firefighters were the group of responders most frequently reported in the literature (35%), while 37% of publications reported on research that included a mix of first responders and recovery workers. Physical health was the focus of the majority of publications (57%). Among the challenges, respiratory issues were the physical health condition most frequently reported in publications, while posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the most frequent mental health condition reported on. Publications were published in a broad range of multi-disciplinary journals (n = 75).Discussion:These findings will go some way to filling the current gap in the 9/11 evidence-base regarding the understanding of the long-term health challenges for first responders and recovery workers.

scholarly journals What Can We Obtain from Mental Health Care? The Dynamics of Physical and Mental Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3098
Author(s):  
Sung-Joo Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Mental Problems ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
The Impact

This study analyzes the dynamic interaction of an individual’s physical and mental health using the German Socio-Economic Panel and the Cross-National Equivalent File of Germany. Its main objective is to find a way to reduce people’s health expenditure by examining the magnitude of the interdependence between physical and mental health. For the analysis, this study develops a dynamic correlated random effects model. We create two aggregate health measures (aggregate physical health and aggregate mental health) with four submeasures each, which provides a better understanding of changes in an individual’s health status by capturing additional information that cannot be analyzed at the aggregate level. There is clear evidence that the persistence of a mental health condition is less than that of a physical health condition. Moreover, the impact of previous mental health on current physical health is greater than that of previous physical health on current mental health. This suggests that individuals can reduce their expenditures on physical health problems by focusing on the treatment of mental problems when they first arise. Finally, the Government’s attention and support toward mental health care would lead to a reduction in health expenditures and eventually improve the sustainability of the nation’s health system.

scholarly journals Mental Health Challenges of Young Labor Migrants from the Healthcare Professionals Perspective: Lessons Learned from a Multi-Country Meeting

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 10482
Author(s):  
Daisy Michelle Princeton ◽  
Ida Marie Bregård ◽  
Marianne Annion ◽  
Gine Shooghi ◽  
Gitte Rom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Labor Migrants ◽  
Baltic Countries ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Mental Health Challenges ◽  
Working And Living Conditions

The mental health of young labor immigrants (YLI’s) is a public health issue that has become notably more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is well established in the literature that most YLI’s are young and healthy when they arrive in the host country. However, due to the poor living and working conditions, as well as linguistic and socioeconomic barriers to health care in the host country, their physical and mental health often deteriorates. Between 1 March 2021 and 5 March 2021, a virtual meeting was organized by Oslo Metropolitan University in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers mobility and network program for education in the Nordic and Baltic countries (Nordplus). It consisted of a multidisciplinary team of 26 participants from Nordic and Baltic countries. Topics included working and living conditions of YLI’s, prejudices towards immigrants, and mental health-related interventions for YLI’s in the participating countries. This paper draws attention to some of the mental health challenges and needs of YLI’s and to the suggestions gathered from the Nordplus meeting to combat these challenges from a healthcare professional’s perspective.

scholarly journals Pandemic with COVID-19 and Families with Children with Chronic Respiratory Diseases

PRILOZI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Tatjana Zorcec ◽  
Tatjana Jakovska ◽  
Vesna Micevska ◽  
Katerina Boskovska ◽  
Valentina Cvejoska Cholakovska
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
General Information ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Families With Children

AbstractCOVID-19 pandemic has provoked a huge change in daily functioning in millions of people worldwide. The epidemiological measures in prevention of possible infection have increased the possible risks on the mental and physical health.We have conducted a survey in order to investigate the needs and challenges of families with children with chronic respiratory diseases. In this order, we have created a questionnaire with general information about the family, general information about the child with chronic respiratory disease, overall physical and mental health before and during the pandemic, needs and mental health condition of the parents/caregivers.This survey showed that this group of families of children with respiratory disorders have suffered financially in significant way and has changed the way they perform professional and educational patterns due to the pandemic. Most of the children were stable in their physical health, but their mental health has deteriorated. This is probably due to the regular contact with the medical staff, but not with the mental health professionals. This group of children has a significant reduction in their physical activity and increase the hours in front of TV screens. The further effect on the physical and mental health is to be investigated.

scholarly journals An Overview and Proposed Research Framework for Studying Co-Occurring Mental- and Physical-Health Dysfunction

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Hagerty ◽  
Jarrod M. Ellingson ◽  
Timothy B. Helmuth ◽  
L. Cinnamon Bidwell ◽  
Kent E. Hutchison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Mental Health Condition ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Research Framework ◽  
Irritable Bowel ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Mental- and physical-health conditions co-occur at a rate much higher than chance. Of patients who have a mental-health condition, more than half also have a physical disease, and these cases are associated with increased human suffering and societal cost. Comorbidity research to date has focused on co-occurring mental- and physical-health disorders separately, and relatively little research has examined the co-occurrence of mental- and physical-health dysfunction. In addition, even less is known about why mental- and physical-health dysfunction co-occurs or how to treat these cases. Thus, the aims of this article are to highlight the need for research at the intersection of physical- and mental-health dysfunction and to provide guidance on how to research cases of comorbidity. Toward these ends, we begin by presenting a selective overview of the possible role of biological processes in the co-occurrence of physical- and mental-health dysfunction using specific illustrative examples. Specifically, we outline how biological processes within the immune system and gastrointestinal system could underlie depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and their co-occurrence. We then advance and discuss a proposed research framework, including methodological and analytic guidance, that researchers could use when studying the phenomenon of co-occurring physical- and mental-health dysfunction.

scholarly journals Effects of parental mental illness on children's physical health: systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 217 (1) ◽  
pp. 354-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Pierce ◽  
Holly F. Hope ◽  
Adekeye Kolade ◽  
Judith Gellatly ◽  
Cemre Su Osam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Parental Mental Illness ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Case Control Studies

BackgroundChildren of parents with mental disorder face multiple challenges.AimsTo summarise evidence about parental mental disorder and child physical health.MethodWe searched seven databases for cohort or case–control studies quantifying associations between parental mental disorders (substance use, psychotic, mood, anxiety, obsessive–compulsive, post-traumatic stress and eating) and offspring physical health. Studies were excluded if: they reported perinatal outcomes only (<28 days) or outcomes after age 18; they measured outcome prior to exposure; or the sample was drawn from diseased children. A meta-analysis was conducted. The protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42017072620).ResultsSearches revealed 15 945 non-duplicated studies. Forty-one studies met our inclusion criteria: ten investigated accidents/injuries; eight asthma; three other atopic diseases; ten overweight/obesity; ten studied other illnesses (eight from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs)). Half of the studies investigated maternal perinatal mental health, 17% investigated paternal mental disorder and 87% examined maternal depression. Meta-analysis revealed significantly higher rates of injuries (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.04–1.26), asthma (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.12–1.41) and outcomes recorded in LMICs (malnutrition: OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.74–3.73; diarrhoea: OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.65–2.84). Evidence was inconclusive for obesity and other atopic disorders.ConclusionsChildren of parents with mental disorder have health disadvantages; however, the evidence base is limited to risks for offspring following postnatal depression in mothers and there is little focus on fathers in the literature. Understanding the physical health risks of these vulnerable children is vital to improving lives. Future work should focus on discovering mechanisms linking physical and mental health across generations.Declaration of interestNone.

scholarly journals The Role of Chronological Age, Health, and Basic Psychological Needs for Older Adults’ Travel Intention

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangguk Kang ◽  
Chen-Kuo Pai ◽  
Donghan Kim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Primary Analysis

This study examined how demographic information, chronological age, older adults’ physical and mental health, and basic psychological needs affected travel intention. The survey samples were collected from 577 adults, all over 60 years of age. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the proposed hypotheses. First, demographic information with chronological age was used for primary analysis. The outcome indicated that chronological age was negatively associated with travel intention while all other demographic variables were not. Secondly, when physical and mental health condition variables were added, physical health positively affected travel intention while chronological age still negatively affected travel intention. Thirdly, psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) for travel were included in the final analysis. The outcome showed that all psychological needs variables had a significant impact on travel intention for those with a physical health condition. However, chronological age was not a significant factor in travel intention during this analysis. This study shows that chronological age is not always an important factor that affects older adults’ travel intention when other health and psychological variables are considered. This study provides some practical implications and tips for travel industry managers who are targeting the aging population.

Exploring the Physical and Mental Health Challenges Associated with Emergency Service Call-Taking and Dispatching: A Review of the Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 619-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin C. Smith ◽  
Lisa Holmes ◽  
Frederick M. Burkle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Emergency Service ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Challenges ◽  
Service Call

AbstractIntroduction:Emergency service (ambulance, police, fire) call-takers and dispatchers are often exposed to duty-related trauma, placing them at increased risk for developing mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Their unique working environment also puts them at-risk for physical health issues like obesity, headache, backache, and insomnia. Along with the stress associated with being on the receiving end of difficult calls, call-takers and dispatchers also deal with the pressure and demand of following protocol despite dealing with the variability of complex and stressful situations.Methods:A systematic literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychInfo databases.Results:A total of 25 publications were retrieved by the search strategy. The majority of studies (n = 13; 52%) reported a quantitative methodology, while nine (36%) reported the use of a qualitative research methodology. One study reported a mixed-methods methodology, one reported an evaluability assessment with semi-structured interviews, one reported on a case study, and one was a systematic review with a narrative synthesis.Discussion:Challenges to physical health included: shift-work leading to lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, and obesity; outdated and ergonomically ill-fitted equipment, and physically confining and isolating work spaces leading to physical injuries; inadequate breaks leading to fatigue; and high noise levels and poor lighting being correlated with higher cortisol levels. Challenges to mental health included: being exposed to traumatic calls; working in high-pressure environments with little downtime in between stressful calls; inadequate debriefing after stressful calls; inappropriate training for mental-health-related calls; and being exposed to verbally aggressive callers. Lack of support from leadership was an additional source of stress.Conclusion:Emergency service call-takers and dispatchers experience both physical and mental health challenges as a result of their work, which appears to be related to a range of both operational and support-based issues. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these physical and mental health challenges.

scholarly journals Self-reported suboptimal sleep and receipt of sleep assessment and treatment among persons with and without a mental health condition in Australia: a cross sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra P. Metse ◽  
Caitlin Fehily ◽  
Tara Clinton-McHarg ◽  
Olivia Wynne ◽  
Sharon Lawn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Mental Health Condition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sleep Assessment ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Sleep Parameters

Abstract Background Poor sleep and poor mental health go hand in hand and, together, can have an adverse impact on physical health. Given the already disproportionate physical health inequities experienced by people with a mental health condition worldwide, the need to consider and optimise sleep has been highlighted as a means of improving both physical and mental health status. Sleep recommendations recently developed by the United States’ National Sleep Foundation incorporate a range of sleep parameters and enable the identification of ‘suboptimal’ sleep. Among community-dwelling persons with and without a 12-month mental health condition in Australia, this study reports: [1] the prevalence of ‘suboptimal’ sleep and [2] rates of sleep assessment by a health care clinician/service and receipt of and desire for sleep treatment. Methods A descriptive study (N = 1265) was undertaken using self-report data derived from a cross-sectional telephone survey of Australian adults, undertaken in 2017. Results Fifteen per cent (n = 184) of participants identified as having a mental health condition in the past 12 months. Across most (7 of 8) sleep parameters, the prevalence of suboptimal sleep was higher among people with a mental health condition, compared to those without (all p < 0.05). The highest prevalence of suboptimal sleep for both groups was seen on measures of sleep duration (36–39% and 17–20% for people with and without a mental health condition, respectively). In terms of sleep assessment and treatment, people with a mental health condition were significantly more likely to: desire treatment (37% versus 16%), have been assessed (38% versus 12%) and have received treatment (30% versus 7%). Conclusions The prevalence of suboptimal sleep among persons with a mental health condition in Australia is significantly higher than those without such a condition, and rates of assessment and treatment are low for both groups, but higher for people with a mental health condition. Population health interventions, including those delivered as part of routine health care, addressing suboptimal sleep are needed.

Relationship Between Extracurricular Occupations and Health in College Students: A Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512505178p1-7512505178p1
Author(s):  
Buwen Yao ◽  
Sandy Takata ◽  
Shawn C. Roll
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Student Health ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Primary Author

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. We examined the relationships between participation in different extracurricular activities and the overall physical and mental health in college students across a 2-year period. Participation in certain occupations was associated with positive mental health, whereas other occupations were linked to poorer physical health. Exploration and promotion of participation in extracurricular occupations should be considered to support student health. Primary Author and Speaker: Buwen Yao Contributing Authors: Sandy Takata, Shawn C. Roll

Critical Care Nurses’ Physical and Mental Health, Worksite Wellness Support, and Medical Errors

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-184
Author(s):  
Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk ◽  
Alai Tan ◽  
Andreanna Pavan Hsieh ◽  
Kate Gawlik ◽  
Cynthia Arslanian-Engoren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Medical Errors ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Worksite Wellness ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

Background Critical care nurses experience higher rates of mental distress and poor health than other nurses, adversely affecting health care quality and safety. It is not known, however, how critical care nurses’ overall health affects the occurrence of medical errors. Objective To examine the associations among critical care nurses’ physical and mental health, perception of workplace wellness support, and self-reported medical errors. Methods This survey-based study used a cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design. A random sample of 2500 members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses was recruited to participate in the study. The outcomes of interest were level of overall health, symptoms of depression and anxiety, stress, burnout, perceived worksite wellness support, and medical errors. Results A total of 771 critical care nurses participated in the study. Nurses in poor physical and mental health reported significantly more medical errors than nurses in better health (odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.31 [0.96-1.78] for physical health, 1.62 [1.17-2.29] for depressive symptoms). Nurses who perceived that their worksite was very supportive of their well-being were twice as likely to have better physical health (odds ratio [95% CI], 2.16 [1.33-3.52]; 55.8%). Conclusion Hospital leaders and health care systems need to prioritize the health of their nurses by resolving system issues, building wellness cultures, and providing evidence-based wellness support and programming, which will ultimately increase the quality of patient care and reduce the incidence of preventable medical errors.

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