scholarly journals Impacts of coal mine fire-related PM2.5 on the utilisation of ambulance and hospital services for mental health conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Carroll ◽  
Caroline Xiaolei Gao ◽  
Timothy Colin Heath Campbell ◽  
Catherine L Smith ◽  
Christina Dimitriadis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Hospital Services ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Pollution Events

Climate change and an increase in the number of major fire events occurring around the world have drawn attention to the importance of understanding the association between air pollution events and mental health. In 2014, the Morwell open-cut brown coal mine adjacent to the Hazelwood power station in the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria, Australia, caught fire as a result of nearby wildfires, and exposed the local community to a prolonged period of deteriorated air quality. The aim of this study was to examine how exposure to coal mine fire-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during the event affected the utilisation of local health services for mental health conditions (ambulance attendances; emergency department (ED) presentations; hospital admissions). A time-series analysis indicated that mine fire-related PM2.5 exposure was associated with short-term increases in ambulance attendances and ED presentations but not hospital admissions. To allow for delays between exposure and changes in service utilisation, different lag periods were assessed. The most prominent effects were observed over a 5-day lag period where, for each 10µg/m3 increase in daily mean mine fire-related PM2.5, the risk of an ambulance attendance for anxiety increased by 34% (95%CI: 8% to 67%) and the risk of an ED presentation for depression increased by 36% (95%CI: 3% to 79%). Accordingly, ambulance and hospital services should expect to encounter an increase in the number of people seeking assistance for mental health conditions during extreme air pollution events and mechanisms need to be in place to ensure that surges in demand for mental health care during these circumstances can be accommodated.

scholarly journals Coal-mine fire-related fine particulate matter and medical-service utilization in Australia: a time-series analysis from the Hazelwood Health Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L Johnson ◽  
Caroline X Gao ◽  
Martine Dennekamp ◽  
Grant J Williamson ◽  
Matthew T C Carroll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Service Utilization ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Medical Service ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Medical Service Utilization ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

Abstract Background This study assessed the association between coal-mine-fire-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and medical-service utilization, following a 6-week coal-mine fire in Australia, in 2014. Areas in the immediate vicinity of the mine experienced hourly mine-fire-related PM2.5 concentrations of up to 3700 μg/m3. Methods Data on medical-service utilization were collected from the Medicare Benefits Schedule—a national database of payment for medical services. PM2.5 concentrations were modelled using atmospheric chemical transport modelling. Quasi-Poisson interrupted distributed lag time-series analysis examined the association between daily mine-fire-related PM2.5 concentrations and medical-service utilization, including General Practitioner (GP) consultations and respiratory, cardiovascular and mental health services. Confounders included seasonality, long-term trend, day of the week, maximum daily temperature and public holidays. Gender and age stratification were conducted. Results A 10-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with an increased relative risk of service usage for all long and short GP consultations [11% (95% confidence interval: 7 to 15%)] and respiratory services [22% (4 to 43%)] in both men and women. Sex stratification found an increased relative risk in mental health consultations in men [32% (2 to 72%)] but not women. No associations were found for cardiovascular services in men or women. Conclusions Coal-mine-fire-related PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased use of medical services for GP consultations and respiratory services in men and women and mental health consultations in men. These findings can inform the development of future public-health-policy responses in the event of major air-pollution episodes.

70-LB: Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated rs9939609 Gene Variant Is Related to Fasting Glucose in Children with Mental Health Conditions

Diabetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 70-LB
Author(s):  
ALEJANDRA M. WIEDEMAN ◽  
YING FAI NGAI ◽  
AMANDA M. HENDERSON ◽  
CONSTADINA PANAGIOTOPOULOS ◽  
ANGELA M. DEVLIN
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Fasting Glucose ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Gene Variant ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

Mental health recovery and its correlates: Perspectives from 2 countries (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiting Xie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses ◽  
Promote Mental Health

BACKGROUND Many people are affected by mental health conditions, yet its prevalence in certain populations are not well documented. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to describe the attributes of people with mental health conditions in U.S and SG in terms of: perception of mental health recovery and its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. With the findings, not only could the knowledge base for mental health recovery in both countries be enhanced but interventions and policies relating to self-efficacy, resourcefulness and de-stigmatization for mental health recovery could be informed. METHODS A A cross-sectional, descriptive study with convenience sample of 200 community dwelling adults were selected, 100 pax from the United States (U.S) and 100 pax from Singapore (SG). Adults with serious mental illnesses without substance abuse impacting on their recovery were recruited. Participants completed self-administered questionaires measuring their mental health recovery, strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. RESULTS This study offered the unique opportunity to examine mental health recovery as well as its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience from both the United States and Singapore. While the perception of mental health recovery and positive attributes like strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness remained strong in participants with serious mental illnesses across both countries, people with serious mental illnesses in both countries still experienced negative perception like stigma. The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries. CONCLUSIONS The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries.

scholarly journals Beyond the high: Mapping patterns of use and motives for use of cannabis as medicine

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252098596
Author(s):  
Sinikka L. Kvamme ◽  
Michael M. Pedersen ◽  
Sagi Alagem-Iversen ◽  
Birgitte Thylstrup
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Patient Organisations ◽  
Patterns Of Use

Background: In Denmark the boundaries between cannabis as an illicit drug and licit medicine have shifted rapidly in recent years, affecting also policy. However, the vast majority of Danes, who use cannabis as medicine (CaM) continue to rely on the unregulated market for supply. This study explores patterns of use and motives for use of CaM in Denmark. Methods: An anonymous online survey was made available to a convenience sample of users of CaM from July 14, 2018 to November 1, 2018. Participants were recruited through patient organisations, social and public media, and the illegal open cannabis market. Results: Of the final sample ( n = 3,021), a majority were women (62.6%) and the mean age was 49 years. Most had no prescription for CaM (90.9%), a majority had no or limited previous experience with recreational cannabis use (63.9%), and had used CaM for two years or less (65.0%). The most common form of intake was oil (56.8%) followed by smoke (24.0%). CBD oil (65.0%) was used more than hash, pot or skunk (36.2%). Most frequent conditions treated were chronic pain (32.0%), sleep disturbances (27.5%), stress (23.7%), osteoarthritis (22.7%), anxiety (19.6%), and depression (19.6%). Overall, users experienced CaM to be effective in managing somatic and mental health conditions and reported relatively few side-effects. CBD oil only users were more likely to be women, older, have limited recreational experience and have initiated use recently. Conclusions: A new user group has emerged in Denmark that, for the most part, use illegally sourced CaM to treat a broad range of somatic and mental health conditions, often with experienced effect and relatively low level of side-effects. The prevalent use of low-potency CBD oil indicates an interest in effects beyond the high normally associated with cannabis use. More clinical research into the effects and side-effects of CaM is needed to draw the boundaries of the medical utility of cannabis.

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