scholarly journals Population Health Effects of Air Pollution: Fresh Evidence From China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Teng Shen ◽  
Xuan Yu ◽  
Shun-Bin Zhong ◽  
Hao-Ran Ge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Hospitalization Costs

The effects of air pollution on population health are currently a hot topic. However, few studies have examined the physical and mental health effects of air pollution jointly in China. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2015 and 2018, this study explores how air pollution affects the physical and mental health of middle-aged and elderly residents. The empirical results highlight that air pollution can negatively affect both physical and mental health. In terms of physical health, those exposed to chronic shock are likely to suffer more adverse effects from air pollution than those exposed to acute shock. In terms of mental health, those exposed to depression suffer greater adverse effects than those exposed to episodic memory and mental cognition. Besides, heterogeneity analysis also shows that air pollution affects the mental and physical health of males more than females. Furthermore, the increase in air pollution is expected to result in huge hospitalization costs. Therefore, the Chinese government should formulate differentiated public health policies to reduce the effects of air pollution on the health of middle-aged and elderly residents.

scholarly journals Physical and mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among college students who are undocumented or have undocumented parents

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Ro ◽  
Victoria E. Rodriguez ◽  
Laura E. Enriquez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Undocumented Students ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic may have disproportionately affected the mental and physical health of undocumented students and students with undocumented parents. Methods We analyzed primary data from 2111 California college students collected March–June 2020. We estimated the odds of mental or physical health being affected “a great deal” by COVID by immigration group and then examined whether this was moderated by campus belonging or resource use. Results Students with undocumented parents were least likely to report COVID-related mental and physical health effects. Undocumented students and students whose parents have lawful immigration status did not differ in their COVID-related physical and mental health. For all students, more campus resource use and higher campus belonging were associated with negative mental and physical health effects. Discussion Negative COVID-related mental and physical health was widespread. Separation from campus-based resources was detrimental during the early stages of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Physical and Mental Health Effects of Bushfire and Smoke in the Australian Capital Territory 2019–20

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael M. Rodney ◽  
Ashwin Swaminathan ◽  
Alison L. Calear ◽  
Bruce K. Christensen ◽  
Aparna Lal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Australian Capital ◽  
Eastern Australia

The 2019–20 bushfire season in south-eastern Australia was one of the most severe in recorded history. Bushfire smoke-related air pollution reached hazardous levels in major metropolitan areas, including the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), for prolonged periods of time. Bushfire smoke directly challenges human health through effects on respiratory and cardiac function, but can also indirectly affect health, wellbeing and quality of life. Few studies have examined the specific health effects of bushfire smoke, separate from direct effects of fire, and looked beyond physical health symptoms to consider effects on mental health and lifestyle in Australian communities. This paper describes an assessment of the health impacts of this prolonged exposure to hazardous levels of bushfire smoke in the ACT and surrounding area during the 2019–20 bushfire season. An online survey captured information on demographics, health (physical and mental health, sleep) and medical advice seeking from 2,084 adult participants (40% male, median age 45 years). Almost all participants (97%) experienced at least one physical health symptom that they attributed to smoke, most commonly eye or throat irritation, and cough. Over half of responders self-reported symptoms of anxiety and/or feeling depressed and approximately half reported poorer sleep. Women reported all symptoms more frequently than men. Participants with existing medical conditions or poorer self-rated health, parents and those directly affected by fire (in either the current or previous fire seasons) also experienced poorer physical, mental health and/or sleep symptoms. Approximately 17% of people sought advice from a medical health practitioner, most commonly a general practitioner, to manage their symptoms. This study demonstrated that prolonged exposure to bushfire smoke can have substantial effects on health. Holistic approaches to understanding, preventing and mitigating the effects of smoke, not just on physical health but on mental health, and the intersection of these, is important. Improved public health messaging is needed to address uncertainty about how individuals can protect their and their families health for future events. This should be informed by identifying subgroups of the population, such as those with existing health conditions, parents, or those directly exposed to fire who may be at a greater risk.

scholarly journals Self-Rated Health by Sexual Orientation Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 1747-1757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gajan Sivakumaran ◽  
Rachel Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Middle Aged

Abstract Objectives This article examines patterns of self-rated physical and mental health by sexual orientation among middle-aged and older adults in Canada, a rapidly growing subpopulation shown to be at risk of poor health. Method We use the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 2015–2016) to estimate logit models predicting fair/poor self-rated physical and mental health by sexual orientation among middle-aged and older adults, stratifying by sex and age group. Results We find no differences in physical health for gay men and lesbian women compared with their heterosexual counterparts. However, middle-aged gay men are disadvantaged in terms of mental health, but not women. Bisexual women are disadvantaged in terms of physical health, and for mental health in some model specifications. Respondents who did not know their sexual orientation have poorer health across some measures of health and age groups. Discussion Our findings add to the paucity of research on older sexual minorities in Canada. They highlight the importance of separating out sexual minority groups because bisexual women have distinct health profiles. In addition, this is the first study to examine the health of respondents who “do not know” their sexual orientation, and future research should distinguish between different explanations for their poor health.

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.

Presence of a Secondary Caregiver Differentiates Primary Cancer Caregiver Well-being

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Thomson ◽  
Maureen Wilson-Genderson ◽  
Laura A Siminoff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Primary Caregivers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Hematological Cancer ◽  
Cancer Caregiver ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Informal caregivers play a fundamental role in the care of hematological cancer patients, but less is known about how secondary caregivers are involved. We assessed the presence or absence of a secondary caregiver, the types of caregiving activities performed by primary and secondary caregivers and examined whether the presence of a secondary caregiver was associated with primary caregiver characteristics and wellbeing over time. Methods A case series of hematological cancer patient-caregiver dyads (n = 171) were recruited from oncology clinics in Virginia and Pennsylvania and followed for 2 years. Multi-level models were developed to examine the associations between presence of a secondary caregiver and the primary caregivers’ well-being. Results Most (64.9%) primary caregivers reported having secondary caregivers. Multilevel models showed primary caregivers without help had higher baseline mental and physical health, but experienced deteriorating physical health overtime, compared to supported primary caregivers. Supported primary caregivers reported improvements in mental health over time that was associated with improvements in physical health. Conclusions Primary caregivers in good physical and mental health at the beginning of their caregiving journey but who have the least assistance from others may be at greatest risk for detrimental physical health effects long term. Attention to the arrangement of caregiving roles (i.e., who provides what care) overtime is needed to ensure that caregivers remain healthy and well supported.

scholarly journals Caregiving Stress Among American Indians With Type 2 Diabetes: The Importance of Awareness of Connectedness and Family Support

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Coser ◽  
Kelley J. Sittner ◽  
Melissa L. Walls ◽  
Tina Handeland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Family Support ◽  
American Indians ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Community Connectedness

American Indian (AI) communities experience a disproportionate rate of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cumulative exposure to stress. Although this link is well researched among various populations, it has not been examined among AI communities. Path analysis was used to examine a multiple-mediator model to explain how caregiver stress influences self-reported mental and physical health among 100 AI participants with T2D. Caregiver stress was negatively associated with physical and mental health. Physical health was positively associated with family/community connectedness and mental health was positively associated with both family support and connectedness. The relationship between caregiver stress and mental health was partially mediated by family/community connectedness; caregiver stress had no indirect effects on physical health via either hypothesized mediator. Findings demonstrate the importance of integrating individuals’ connection to family and community and its influence on caregiver stress and mental health in intervention programs targeting diabetes management and care among AI communities.

scholarly journals Physical Health Profile and Associated Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Dyg Sperling ◽  
Nina Dalkner ◽  
Christina Berndt ◽  
Eva Fleischmann ◽  
Michaela Ratzenhofer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased psychological strain on public mental health and may impact behavioral, mental, and physical health, presumably with effects on patients with severe mental disorders. This study examines pandemic-related physical and mental health and (compensatory) behavioral changes, in patients with BD as compared to healthy control individuals.Method: Physical and mental health and self-reported changes in daily structure and behavior due to the pandemic were assessed using a self-constructed questionnaire and the brief symptom inventory (BSI) in Germany, Austria, and Denmark in individuals with BD and a healthy control group.Results: The present study included 118 individuals with BD and 215 healthy controls. Individuals with BD reported statistically significant higher physical risk burden, increased weight gain, more physical comorbidities, and a decrease in physical activity and they further reported higher rates of COVID-19 testing, had more worries concerning health, and experienced more anxiety but less social distancing.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have a greater impact on physical health in individuals with BD than in healthy controls. Individuals with BD appear to be having more difficulties compensating their behavior due to the pandemic which could amplify the effect of risk factors associated with poorer physical health. This highlights the necessity for optimizing and targeting the overall treatment of both mental and physical health in patients with BD during periods with far-reaching changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Limitations: Sampling issues and self-report forms, selectivity (missing elderly, and those lacking access or knowledge of technology).

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