Postpartum Depression Linked To Air Pollution In New Study
Postpartum Depression Linked To Air Pollution In New Study Forbes
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Topline
Long-term exposure to air pollution during and after pregnancy increases the chances a woman could face postpartum depression, a study published Wednesday suggests, supporting previous research that suggests prolonged exposure to air pollution negatively affects mental health.
Key Facts
Women who were exposed to various forms of air pollution for a long-term period before and after pregnancy are more likely to face postpartum depression, according to a study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Researchers analyzed more than 340,000 women who had births between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2016, and found that air pollution exposure during pregnancy appeared to affect a woman’s risk of postpartum depression.
Researchers, who examined a variety of backgrounds of mothers, found associations between air pollution exposure and postpartum depression were strong among mothers aged 25-34, mothers with higher education, African American or Hispanic mothers and mothers who were underweight.
Among the pollutants researchers noted were of particular concern were sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, ozone and black carbon (which comes from car engines).
Researchers note that since they were able to focus on specific pollutants, public health interventions may be possible to alleviate the burden of postpartum depression, but they did not suggest specific interventions.
Big Number
9. That’s the percentage of mothers who experience postpartum depression, according to researchers.
Key Background
Postpartum depression is one of the most common childbirth complications, researchers said, and includes severe mood swings, difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawing from family and friends, hopelessness and overwhelming tiredness, among other symptoms, beginning after birth and lasting up to a year, according to the Mayo Clinic. Prior to Wednesday’s study, researchers connected prolonged exposure to air pollution to mental health issues. Previous studies have linked air pollution to higher instances of suicide, depression and schizophrenia. Earlier this year, researchers compared some 9 million medicare patients’ records to the levels of air pollution in their zip codes and found a statistically significant association between exposure to high levels of air pollution and the onset of depression. A study from 2021 revealed that patients with psychotic and mood disorders, such as bipolar and depression, who had great exposure to air pollution were more likely to be hospitalized than those who did not. That finding led Dr. Adrian James, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, to recommend improving air quality in an effort to reduce the pressure on mental health services.
Further Reading
- Increased Air Pollution Boosts Chances Of Severe Mental Illness, Study Finds (Forbes)
- Current Climate: Study Suggests A Link Between Air Pollution And Depression (Forbes)
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- Indicator: Percentage of women experiencing postpartum depression.
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- Indicator: Levels of air pollution in cities.
The article highlights the connection between air pollution and postpartum depression. This issue is relevant to SDG 3, which aims to promote good health and well-being. Specifically, Target 3.4 focuses on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promoting mental health and well-being. The article suggests that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the chances of postpartum depression, indicating a negative impact on mental health.
Additionally, the article mentions the pollutants of concern, such as sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, ozone, and black carbon. These pollutants are relevant to SDG 11, which aims to create sustainable cities and communities. Target 11.6 specifically addresses the need to reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality. The mentioned pollutants contribute to air pollution in urban areas, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue for sustainable development.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Percentage of women experiencing postpartum depression. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Levels of air pollution in cities. |
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Source: forbes.com
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