scholarly journals Whose mental health declines during economic downturns?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Black ◽  
Angela Jackson ◽  
David Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
Mental Health Measure ◽  
Economic Downturns ◽  
Old Men ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Infrequent Event

Prior research shows that economic downturns are associated with increases in mental illness. However, we know little about whose mental health is most negatively affected. Is it the young or old, men or women, employed or non-employed, rich or poor? Using an 18-year panel dataset of Australians, we contribute to this understanding by estimating the impact of changes in unemployment on mental health, separately by population subgroups. Our mental health measure captures psychological distress and emotional difficulties, which are often missed by infrequent event indicators such as suicides. We find that young women suffer most during economic downturns. Men and women of older ages are not significantly affected. The effects for young women are driven by those in insecure employment, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Our results suggest that public health programs should emphasize the mental health of young women during economic downturns.

Tendency of Internet Search Data of Oral Neoplasms and Impact of Public Health Programs in European Union

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain LAN ◽  
Fabrice CAMPANA ◽  
Delphine TARDIVO ◽  
Jean-Hugues CATHERINE ◽  
Jean-Noel VERGNES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Internet Research ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
Prevention Campaign ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Tobacco Packaging

Abstract Background: Tobacco and alcohol are the main risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma, the low survival rate of which is a public health problem. European-wide health policies (prevention campaign, tobacco packaging) have been put in place to inform the population of the risks associated with their consumption. Due to the increase in smoking among women and changes in sexual practices, the incidence of this disease is still too high. The identification of data from internet research on the population could make it possible to measure the impact and better orient these preventive measures.The objective was to analyse the data on interest shown in oral cancers from several online databases, and to cross-reference them with the data on the introduction of European public health programs.Methods: A search of data from Google ©, Wikipedia © and Twitter © users in 28 European countries relating to oral cancer between 2004 and 2019 was carried out. Bibliometric analysis of press and scientific articles over the same period was also analysed. The association between these data and the introduction of public health programs in Europe has been studied.Results: Changes in tobacco packaging correlated with a significant increase in internet research on oral cancer in 7 countries. Unlike national policies and campaigns, the European awareness program Make Sense has had no influence on internet research. There was an asymmetric correlation in internet searches between publications on oral cancer from scientific articles or "traditional" media (weak association) and those from internet media such as Twitter © or Wikipedia © (strong association).Conclusion: Our work highlights 7 areas of work around which oral cancer awareness in Europe could be refocused.

The Impact of Marijuana on Mental Health

2018 ◽  
pp. 122-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine L. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Psychiatric Epidemiology ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
The Impact

The association between marijuana use and several mental health outcomes is examined, with particular reference to commonly held views on the lack of proof for a causal basis. Rather than relying on a single, key criterion for proof of causation, a collective approach is taken to the question through reviewing studies testing different criteria. Exploration of the psychiatric epidemiology on marijuana reveals trends in early reports that have been confirmed through more detailed studies in recent years and further bolstered by clinical findings. A significant, causal role for marijuana use in chronic psychotic disorders is substantiated by the literature, as well as a strong association with mood disorders and suicidal behaviors. This chapter reinforces the importance of considering marijuana’s mental health impacts when formulating appropriate public health programs and when fashioning drug control policies concerning its legal status.

scholarly journals The impact of the economic crisis on the mental health of Portuguese primary-school children

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Costa ◽  
M Cunha ◽  
C Ferreira ◽  
A Gama ◽  
A M N Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective To measure the impact of the economic crisis on the mental health correlates of Portuguese children attending primary school during 2016. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of primary school-aged children and their parents (n = 1157), conducted in public and private schools of three Portuguese districts. Parent reports of children mental health symptoms (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - SDQ) and children self-reports of health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-27) and depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, Children version - DASS-C), were compared according to a set of yes/no questions on how the economic crisis changed the normal aspects of routine life (e.g. During the financial crisis did you had to use savings? Started buying cheaper food?). Linear regression models were fitted for the SDQ, the KIDSCREEN-27 and the DASS-C as dependent variables adjusted for children sex, socioeconomic status and district of residence. Results Affirmative answers to the crisis impact questions were associated with more frequent psychosocial functioning problems in children, with poorer self-reported health-related quality of life and with more frequent symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Conclusions Portuguese children mental health correlates show significant worse scores for those whose parents declared having to change daily routine habits as a result of the recent macroeconomic financial crisis, compared to those who did not change habits. Public Health programs should be developed to mitigate the potential negative impact of the financial crisis to the mental health of children. Key messages A negative impact on children mental health was observed as a result of the economic crisis. Public health programs designed to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis should include primary-school aged children.

scholarly journals Integrating human‐centred design into the development of an intervention to improve the mental wellbeing of young women in the perinatal period: the Catalyst project

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Taylor Salisbury ◽  
Katie H Atmore ◽  
Inocencia Nhambongo ◽  
Muanacha Mintade ◽  
Luciana Massinga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Young Mothers ◽  
Delivery Strategy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Human Centred Design

Abstract Background Mental wellbeing during pregnancy and the year after birth is critical to a range of maternal and infant outcomes. Many mental health interventions fail to incorporate stakeholder perspectives. The Catalyst Project aimed to work with key stakeholders in Mozambique to develop interventions and delivery strategies which were in-line with existing evidence and the needs, goals, and priorities of those both directly and indirectly involved in its success. Methods A qualitative, human-centred design approach was utilised. Focus-group discussions, individual interviews, and observations with young women (aged 16–24 years), their families, community leaders, service providers and government were used to better understand the needs, priorities and challenges to mental wellbeing of young women. These findings were triangulated with the literature to determine priority challenges to be addressed by an intervention. Stakeholder workshops were held to identify potential solutions and co-develop an intervention and delivery strategy. Results The 65 participants comprised 23 young pregnant women or new mothers, 12 family members, 19 service providers and 11 staff from the Ministry of Health. Participants highlighted significant uncertainty related to living situations, financial status, education, social support, and limited knowledge of what to expect of the impact of pregnancy and parenting. Family and community support were identified as an important need among this group. The Mama Felíz (Happy Mama) programme was developed with stakeholders as a course to strengthen pregnancy, childbirth and child development knowledge, and build positive relationships, problem-solving and parenting skills. In addition, family sessions address wider cultural and gender issues which impact adolescent maternal wellbeing. Conclusions We have developed an intervention to reduce the risk of poor maternal mental health and gives young mothers hope and skills to make a better life for them and their children by packaging information about the risk and protective factors for maternal mental disorders in a way that appeals to them, their families and service providers. By using human-centred design to understand the needs and priorities of young mothers and the health and community systems in which they live, the resulting intervention and delivery strategy is one that stakeholders view as appropriate and acceptable.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities for Communication about the Role of Genomics in Public Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Caitlin G. Allen ◽  
Ridgely Fisk Green ◽  
Scott Bowen ◽  
W. David Dotson ◽  
Wei Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Genomic Information ◽  
Public Health Programs ◽  
The Public ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Communication Challenges ◽  
The Impact

Despite growing awareness about the potential for genomic information to improve population health, lingering communication challenges remain in describing the role of genomics in public health programs. Identifying and addressing these challenges provide an important opportunity for appropriate communication to ensure the translation of genomic discoveries for public health benefits. In this commentary, we describe 5 common communication challenges encountered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health based on over 20 years of experience in the field. These include (1) communicating that using genomics to assess rare diseases can have an impact on public health; (2) providing evidence that genetic factors can add important information to environmental, behavioral, and social determinants of health; (3) communicating that although genetic factors are nonmodifiable, they can increase the impact of public health programs and communication strategies; (4) addressing the concern that genomics is not ready for clinical practice; and (5) communicating that genomics is valuable beyond the domain of health care and can be integrated as part of public health programs. We discuss opportunities for addressing these communication challenges and provide examples of ongoing approaches to communication about the role of genomics in public health to the public, researchers, and practitioners.

Is there a trial bias impacting user engagement with unguided e-mental health interventions? A systematic comparison of published reports and real-world usage of the same programs

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Baumel ◽  
Stav Edan ◽  
John M Kane
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Real World ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Program Cost ◽  
The Real ◽  
Mental Health Programs ◽  
Assessment Procedures ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Trial settings that include proactive recruitment, human contact, and assessment procedures may substantially impact the way users engage with unguided e-mental health programs and the generalizability of reported findings. This study examined the impact of trial setting on user behavior by directly comparing reported user engagement in trial-based research and objective measures of real-world usage of the same unguided mental health programs. The authors conducted a systematic search for papers reporting user engagement with off-the-shelf unguided e-mental health programs. Real-world usage was obtained from a panel that presents aggregated nonpersonal information on user engagement with digital programs across the world. A total of 13 papers yielding 14 comparable usage metrics met all inclusion criteria. In three papers reporting the use of programs by lay users without any proactive trial procedures, the ratios calculated by dividing the usage reported in the paper by the usage documented within the objective dataset were 0.84, 1.05, and 1.27—suggesting a sufficient criterion validity for our examination. In studies that proactively recruited users and included pre- to post-assessment procedures (11 comparisons), the median program usage rate reported was 4.06 times higher (IQR = 4.49) than the real-world usage of the same program. Severity of clinical symptoms, in-person versus remote assessment procedures, study design, and program cost had no impact on these differences. The results suggest that trial settings have a large impact on user engagement with unguided interventions and, therefore, on the generalizability of the findings to the real world.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document