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Wang JX, Liu XQ. Climate change, ambient air pollution, and students' mental health. World J Psychiatry 2024; 14:204-209. [PMID: 38464763 PMCID: PMC10921291 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i2.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of global climate change and air pollution on mental health has become a crucial public health issue. Increased public awareness of health, advancements in medical diagnosis and treatment, the way media outlets report environmental changes and the variation in social resources affect psychological responses and adaptation methods to climate change and air pollution. In the context of climate change, extreme weather events seriously disrupt people's living environments, and unstable educational environments lead to an increase in mental health issues for students. Air pollution affects students' mental health by increasing the incidence of diseases while decreasing contact with nature, leading to problems such as anxiety, depression, and decreased cognitive function. We call for joint efforts to reduce pollutant emissions at the source, improve energy structures, strengthen environmental monitoring and gover-nance, increase attention to the mental health issues of students, and help student groups build resilience; by establishing public policies, enhancing social support and adjusting lifestyles and habits, we can help students cope with the constantly changing environment and maintain a good level of mental health. Through these comprehensive measures, we can more effectively address the challenges of global climate change and air pollution and promote the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Xuan Wang
- School of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xin-Qiao Liu
- School of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
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Izquierdo E, González-Rodríguez A. [Mental health and physical health]. Med Clin (Barc) 2024; 162:64-66. [PMID: 37919120 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Izquierdo
- Servicio de Salud Mental Adultos, Hospital Universitario Mutua Terrassa, Fundació Docència i Recerca Mutua Terrassa, Universidad de Barcelona (UB), Terrassa, Barcelona, España
| | - Alexandre González-Rodríguez
- Servicio de Salud Mental Adultos, Hospital Universitario Mutua Terrassa, Fundació Docència i Recerca Mutua Terrassa, Universidad de Barcelona (UB), Terrassa, Barcelona, España; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM). Terrassa, Barcelona, España.
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Gianfredi V, Mazziotta F, Clerici G, Astorri E, Oliani F, Cappellina M, Catalini A, Dell’Osso BM, Pregliasco FE, Castaldi S, Benatti B. Climate Change Perception and Mental Health. Results from a Systematic Review of the Literature. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2024; 14:215-229. [PMID: 38248134 PMCID: PMC10814599 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe14010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change is one of the main global challenges and influences various aspects of human health. Numerous studies have indeed demonstrated an association between extreme climate-related events and physical and mental health outcomes, but little is still known about the association between the perception/awareness of climate change and mental health. In accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO. The included studies were original observational studies published in English, reporting the association between the perception/awareness of climate change and mental health. A total of 3018 articles were identified. A total of 10 observational studies were included. The period covered in the included studies ranged between 2012 and 2022. Climate change perception is consistently associated with adverse mental health effects across different types of estimates. In particular, the studies identified an association between a higher level of perception/awareness of climate change and depression, anxiety, eco-anxiety, stress, adjustment disorder, substance use, dysphoria, and even thoughts of suicide. Qualitative data underscore the impact on daily activities, contributing to feelings of loss and suicidal ideation. Moreover, climate change perception correlates with lower well-being and resilience. The association between awareness of climate change and mental health is a complex and still poorly explored phenomenon. The main limitations are the high heterogeneity in terms of exposure assessment and data reporting, which hinders quantitative analysis. These results show that climate change perception impacts mental health. Better understanding the phenomenon represents an opportunity to inform public health interventions that promote mental well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenza Gianfredi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (G.C.); (E.A.); (F.O.); (M.C.); (F.E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Francesco Mazziotta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (G.C.); (E.A.); (F.O.); (M.C.); (F.E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Giovanna Clerici
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (G.C.); (E.A.); (F.O.); (M.C.); (F.E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Elisa Astorri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (G.C.); (E.A.); (F.O.); (M.C.); (F.E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Francesco Oliani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (G.C.); (E.A.); (F.O.); (M.C.); (F.E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Martina Cappellina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (G.C.); (E.A.); (F.O.); (M.C.); (F.E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Alessandro Catalini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/a, 60100 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Bernardo Maria Dell’Osso
- “Aldo Ravelli” Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (B.M.D.)
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ernesto Pregliasco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (G.C.); (E.A.); (F.O.); (M.C.); (F.E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Silvana Castaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (G.C.); (E.A.); (F.O.); (M.C.); (F.E.P.); (S.C.)
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Benatti
- “Aldo Ravelli” Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (B.M.D.)
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
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