scholarly journals The Influence of the Urban Environment on Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on Air Pollution and Migration—A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3920
Author(s):  
Giulia Menculini ◽  
Francesco Bernardini ◽  
Luigi Attademo ◽  
Pierfrancesco Maria Balducci ◽  
Tiziana Sciarma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
And Migration ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a crisis worldwide, due to both its public health impact and socio-economic consequences. Mental health was consistently affected by the pandemic, with the emergence of newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders and the exacerbation of pre-existing ones. Urban areas were particularly affected by the virus spread. In this review, we analyze how the urban environment may influence mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering two factors that profoundly characterize urbanization: air pollution and migration. Air pollution serves as a possibly risk factor for higher viral spread and infection severity in the context of urban areas and it has also been demonstrated to play a role in the development of serious mental illnesses and their relapses. The urban environment also represents a complex social context where minorities such as migrants may live in poor hygienic conditions and lack access to adequate mental health care. A global rethinking of the urban environment is thus required to reduce the impact of these factors on mental health. This should include actions aimed at reducing air pollution and combating climate change, promoting at the same time a more inclusive society in a sustainable development perspective.

scholarly journals Association between urban environment and mental health in Brussels, Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Pelgrims ◽  
Brecht Devleesschauwer ◽  
Madeleine Guyot ◽  
Hans Keune ◽  
Tim S. Nawrot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Disorders

Abstract Background Mental health disorders appear as a growing problem in urban areas. While common mental health disorders are generally linked to demographic and socioeconomic factors, little is known about the interaction with the urban environment. With growing urbanization, more and more people are exposed to environmental stressors potentially contributing to increased stress and impairing mental health. It is therefore important to identify features of the urban environment that affect the mental health of city dwellers. The aim of this study was to define associations of combined long-term exposure to air pollution, noise, surrounding green at different scales, and building morphology with several dimensions of mental health in Brussels. Methods Research focuses on the inhabitants of the Brussels Capital Region older than 15 years. The epidemiological study was carried out based on the linkage of data from the national health interview surveys (2008 and 2013) and specifically developed indicators describing each participant’s surroundings in terms of air quality, noise, surrounding green, and building morphology. These data are based on the geographical coordinates of the participant’s residence and processed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Mental health status was approached through several validated indicators: the Symptom Checklist-90-R subscales for depressive, anxiety and sleeping disorders and the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire for general well-being. For each mental health outcome, single and multi-exposure models were performed through multivariate logistic regressions. Results Our results suggest that traffic-related air pollution (black carbon, NO2, PM10) exposure was positively associated with higher odds of depressive disorders. No association between green surrounding, noise, building morphology and mental health could be demonstrated. Conclusions These findings have important implications because most of the Brussel’s population resides in areas where particulate matters concentrations are above the World Health Organization guidelines. This suggests that policies aiming to reduce traffic related-air pollution could also reduce the burden of depressive disorders in Brussels.

Conclusions

2019 ◽  
pp. 354-356
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Urban environments can be toxic to people’s mental health. Life in the city can also have positive impact on education, cultural enrichment, and employment opportunities and access to services when needed. Wide variety of housing and transport can help. Cities can also provide sexual and ethnic diversity. As most clinical services themselves are set in the urban areas, clinicians often do not understand the impact of urban environment on people’s well-being. Similarly, very often urban designers and city planners do not take into account the effect built environments can have on people’s mental health. It is critical that as part of prevention of mental illnesses and promotion of mental health both groups work with other stakeholders to ensure that urban environments are safe and clean and provide a milieu for people to work, play, and live in without endangering their well-being. Joint working should be the first crucial step.

scholarly journals Mental Health of Refugees and Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Experienced Discrimination and Daily Stressors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6354
Author(s):  
Eva Spiritus-Beerden ◽  
An Verelst ◽  
Ines Devlieger ◽  
Nina Langer Primdahl ◽  
Fábio Botelho Guedes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Daily Stressors ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Migrant Groups

The COVID-19 pandemic is a defining global health crisis of our time. While the impact of COVID-19, including its mental health impact, is increasingly being documented, there remain important gaps regarding the specific consequences of the pandemic on particular population groups, including refugees and migrants. This study aims to uncover the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of refugees and migrants worldwide, disentangling the possible role of social and daily stressors, i.e., experiences of discrimination and daily living conditions. Descriptive analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the responses of N = 20,742 refugees and migrants on the self-reporting global ApartTogether survey. Survey findings indicated that the mental health of refugees and migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly impacted, particularly for certain subgroups, (i.e., insecure housing situation and residence status, older respondents, and females) who reported experiencing higher levels of increased discrimination and increases in daily life stressors. There is a need to recognize the detrimental mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on particular refugee and migrant groups and to develop interventions that target their unique needs.

scholarly journals The current pandemic, a complex emergency? Mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on highly vulnerable communities in Guatemala

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110272
Author(s):  
Dana Alonzo ◽  
Marciana Popescu ◽  
Pinar Zubaroglu-Ioannides
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Complex Emergency ◽  
The Impact

Background: On March 5th, Guatemala declared a ‘State of Calamity’ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strict lockdown measures were initiated. The psychological consequences of these measures are yet to be fully understood. There is limited research on the psychological impact of the virus in the general population, and even less focused on Latin America and high-risk communities characterized by poverty, limited mental health resources, and high rates of stigma around mental illness. The goal of this study is to examine the psychological impact of COVID-19 across several highly vulnerable districts in Guatemala. Methods: A semi-structured phone interview was conducted of 295 individuals in multiple districts in Guatemala City to assess self-perceived mental health consequences related to the pandemic. Sociodemographic, medical, and mental health data were collected. Chisquares and t-tests used for categorical and continuous variables, as appropriate, to describe the sample. Binary logistic regressions were estimated to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and mental health symptoms (anxiety, stress, depression, burnout, escalation of pre-existing mental health symptoms, and a sense of safety). Results: The results indicate high levels of anxiety and stress in all target communities. Significant differences based on gender, age, and the number of children in the household were identified: women and older adults experience higher rates of stress and anxiety associated with the pandemic; while families with greater number of children experience higher levels of burnout. Conclusion: Contextualizing the current pandemic as a complex emergency can help inform further studies focusing on socioeconomic challenges and higher vulnerabilities as preconditions affecting the impact of the pandemic on mental health. Given the limited available resources for mental health care in Guatemala, informal networks of care may play an important role in meeting the needs of those individuals experiencing increased psychological distress resulting from the pandemic.

scholarly journals Scoping review of mental health in prisons through the COVID-19 pandemic

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e046547
Author(s):  
Luke Johnson ◽  
Kerry Gutridge ◽  
Julie Parkes ◽  
Anjana Roy ◽  
Emma Plugge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo examine the extent, nature and quality of literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of imprisoned people and prison staff.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PsychExtra, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for any paper from 2019 onwards that focused on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on imprisoned people and prison staff. A grey literature search focused on international and government sources and professional bodies representing healthcare, public health and prison staff was also performed. We also performed hand searching of the reference lists of included studies.Eligibility criteria for selection of studiesAll papers, regardless of study design, were included if they examined the mental health of imprisoned people or prison staff specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imprisoned people could be of any age and from any countries. All languages were included. Two independent reviewers quality assessed appropriate papers.ResultsOf 647 articles found, 83 were eligible for inclusion, the majority (58%) of which were opinion pieces. The articles focused on the challenges to prisoner mental health. Fear of COVID-19, the impact of isolation, discontinuation of prison visits and reduced mental health services were all likely to have an adverse effect on the mental well-being of imprisoned people. The limited research and poor quality of articles included mean that the findings are not conclusive. However, they suggest a significant adverse impact on the mental health and well-being of those who live and work in prisons.ConclusionsIt is key to address the mental health impacts of the pandemic on people who live and work in prisons. These findings are discussed in terms of implications for getting the balance between infection control imperatives and the fundamental human rights of prison populations.

A Dynamic Analysis Of The Impact Of Air Pollution On The daylight Availability In An Open-plan Office In London

2021 ◽  
pp. 94-103
Author(s):  
Jiangtao Du ◽  
Steve Sharples
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Early Design Stage ◽  
Pollutant Deposition ◽  
Open Plan ◽  
Building Project ◽  
The Impact

The deposition of air pollutants on glazing can significantly affect the daylight transmittance of building fenestration systems in urban areas. This study presents a simulation analysis of the impact of air pollution and glazing visual transmittance on indoor daylight availability in an open-plan office in London. First, the direct links between glazing visual transmittance and daylighting conditions were developed and assessed. Second, several simple algorithms were established to estimate the loss of daylight availability due to the pollutant deposition at the external surface of vertical glazing. Finally, some conclusions and design strategies to support facade planning at the early design stage of an urban building project were developed.

A systematic review of Karen refugee health

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Hoffman ◽  
Cheryl L. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Karen Refugees ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive perspective of the documented physical and mental health issues Karen refugees from Burma face as a result of war and refugee trauma, and migration. The review will address the question: What is the impact of trauma and migration on the physical and mental health of Karen refugees? Design/methodology/approach – A total of 18 articles were systematically selected for inclusion in the final review. The focal content for included articles includes qualitative and quantitative research representative of the health and migration experiences of Karen refugees. Findings – The findings of this review demonstrate significance for health providers from a public health standpoint as programs and services are targeted to meet the specific health needs of the Karen community. It also highlights the contribution of the Karen forced migration experience to the complexity of individual and community health needs, particularly as a result of the protracted conflict. Originality/value – This critical appraisal of the body of literature describing the health experiences of Karen refugees from Burma, with a particular focus on outcomes relevant to resettlement, demonstrates value as programs are developed with an integrated refugee perspective.

scholarly journals FEATURES OF ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOGENIC LOADS ON NATURAL COMPLEXES

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
P. Evdokimov
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Regulatory Documents ◽  
Dialectical Approach ◽  
The Impact

the article describes the problems of assessing the anthropogenic impact of human activity on natural com-plexes surrounding urbanized territories. Among the main research tasks are development of methodological foundations for assessing the quanti-tative and qualitative composition at anthropogenic impact on natural complexes surrounding urban areas. The main method of this research include a dialectical approach that focuses on generally accepted logi-cal research methods (analysis, systematic approach, generalization) and their synthesis using relevant in-formation materials. The author considered various methods of assessing the impact of various factors on the environment, and also carried out the examination of urban decisions related to the appointment of a category (status) the natural resources included in the urban environment in Moscow. The Russian capital is a European metropolis, the largest city-millionaire in Europe and a typical object of research to identify the effects of various anthropogenic factors. The implementation at economic activity in the metropolis is accompanied by the emergence of problems, the solution of which has not been found yet. Analysis of methods for assessing the impact at the various factors on the environment was carried out taking into account the provisions in regulatory documents governing the appointment for protected areas urban environment. Provisions of regulatory documents and decisions of executive authorities designed to use natural (forest) resources in urban environments. The absence of approved methods for assessing certain types of land plots with a protected status was identified. The main factors affecting the quality of biogeocenosis were identified. The main features of the applica-tion methods for assessing the status and possibility in recreational development in territories of varying de-grees at development are considered.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION AND AIR POLLUTION ON INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF MELIA AZEDARACH L. LEAVES

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1326-1333
Author(s):  
V. Abozaid ◽  
H. Arif Abdulrahman ◽  
D. Ayoub Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Melia Azedarach ◽  
Layer Width ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
The Impact

This study was performed to investigate the impact of air pollution on leaf area and anatomical features of Melia azedarach L. trees, in urban areas with three demographical classes: location (I) industrial area, location (II) roadside area and free parts (control area) as a location (III) of Duhok city/Kurdistan Region-Iraq, during July 2021. The results demonstrated that the leaf area of selected plants' leaves in location I had reduced with no noticeable change in the average stomata density in the three locations I, II and Ⅲ. Meanwhile, the results of the most anatomical features of the blade (blade, lower cuticle, epidermis (both upper and lower) thickness, palisade layer height and spongy parenchyma width) in addition to midrib parameters (epidermis thickness (upper and lower), collenchyma and parenchyma layer width, phloem and xylem width and pith diameter) were decreased in both locations I, II, and with well-developed anatomical features in location III.

scholarly journals DAMPAK POLUSI PARTIKEL DEBU DAN GAS KENDARAAN BERMOTOR PADA VOLUME DAN KAPASITAS PARU

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehosua Sinolungan
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Key Words Air Pollution ◽  
Negative Impacts

Abstract: The increasing number of vehicles which increase air pollution has negative impacts on  global health, especially that of lung problems. Nowadays, people’s mobility is fast and variable, needing better and more environmentally friendly transportation, without neglecting the socio-economic aspect. These are the reasons to develop better and more environmentally related transportation facilities. By understanding air pollution mechanisms, and kinds of particles and pollutants from vehicles, we will appreciate and pay more attention to our environment, especially in urban areas. Collaboration among health and government related departments has to be improved to regulate the use of inner city vehicles, so that it can decrease lung problems. Key words: air pollution, transportation, dust particles, urban environment.     Abstrak: Bertambahnya jumlah kendaraan bermotor seiring dengan bertambahnya polusi udara, dan menimbulkan masalah global, yang berdampak negatif antara lain masalah kesehatan paru. Mobilitas manusia semakin beragam sehingga diperlukan dukungan sistem transportasi yang makin baik pula serta akrab lingkungan, tanpa mengabaikan segi sosio-ekonomi. Oleh karena itu sistem transportasi ini perlu dikembangkan menjadi sistem transportasi yang berkelanjutan. Diharapkan dengan mengetahui batasan polusi udara, jenis, serta dampak partikel debu dan gas kendaraan bermotor bagi kesehatan manusia akan  membuat kita lebih mencintai dan memperhatikan lingkugan hidup kita, khususnya sekitar perkotaan. Perana kerjasama lintas sektoral untuk mengatasi polusi partikel debu dan gas buangan perlu ditingkatkan Pengaturan kendaraan layak beroperasi akan menekan mening-katnya kasus infeksi atau gangguan saluran napas. Kata kunci: polusi udara, transportasi, partikel debu, lingkungan perkotaan.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document