The mental health of women and climate change: Direct neuropsychiatric impacts and associated psychological concerns

Women, girls, and climate change: Human rights, vulnerabilities, and opportunities

Our world faces potentially catastrophic climate change that can damage human health in multiple ways. The impact of climate change is uneven, disproportionately affecting the lives and livelihoods of women and girls. This conceptual article compiles evidence for a model that argues that climate change has more detrimental consequences for women than men because of women's precarity (unequal power) and corporal (physical) vulnerability. Climate change challenges the human rights of women and girls, triggering displacement, interrupted education, food and water scarcity, economic instability, mental and physical health challenges, reproductive injustice, gender-based violence, exploitation and human trafficking. Women are effective and essential change agents; their empowerment can directly contravene or mitigate climate change and also break the links between climate change and its negative consequences for women and girls. Gender-sensitive responses to the effects of climate change are imperative. Women's empowerment will further human rights and achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

[Climate and environmental crisis impacts on women's health: What specificities? What can be done?]

OBJECTIVE

Pollution is one of the world's largest risk factors for disease and premature death. In Europe, it is responsible for approximately 20% of mortality. Chemicals exposure can occur by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact and begins in utero. Pollutants can be divided into three categories: endocrine disruptors (pesticides, PFAS, plastics, dioxins, etc.), heavy metals (cadmium, mercury and lead…) and nanomaterials. Climate change and air pollution are other main health threats.

METHODS

Literature review using PubMed and ResearchGate databases and institutional websites.

RESULTS

Endocrine disruptors are identified as significant risk factors for the reproductive health with negative documented impacts following prenatal or adult exposure. Climate change and air pollution can cause gender-based health disparities. Numerous scientific arguments show that chemical pollution and climate change disproportionately impact women, both on a social and biological level. Populations in precarious situations among which women are over-represented suffer the most severe social consequences including in France. There are several gender-specific domestic or occupational exposures to pollutants, most often to the disadvantage of women compared to men. Finally, although very few gendered data exist in environmental health, there are sexual-based physiological vulnerabilities concerning the metabolism of pollutants and the capacity to adapt to heat.

CONCLUSION

Facing this threat of gender inequity in sexual and reproductive health and rights' width, women's health professionals have a major role to play in initiating new ways to assess and reduce the environmental health burden in women.

High temperatures on mental health: Recognizing the association and the need for proactive strategies-A perspective

Background and Aims

The influence of temperature on various aspects of daily life is often underestimated, and its effects on mental health are not widely recognized. Understanding and addressing the relationship between temperature and mental well-being is crucial in the context of climate change and rising global temperatures. This perspective aimed to investigate the effects of high temperatures on mental health and identify proactive strategies to mitigate these effects.

Methods

This perspective adopted a twofold approach, including a comprehensive literature review and socioecological framework. The literature review involved extensive searches across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus to identify relevant, peer-reviewed articles, and reports from diverse disciplines.

Results

The perspective emphasized the significance of recognizing heat stress and its consequences on mental well-being. Chronic heat stress can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Vulnerable populations include, the very young, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. Socioeconomic factors can further exacerbate vulnerability, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to manage mental health challenges during high temperatures. Additionally, the article identified and discussed proactive coping strategies to minimize both the psychological and physical impacts of heat stress. Mindfulness, stress management techniques, and therapy are suggested as effective means for individuals to manage psychological distress.

Conclusion

Implementing preventive measures are essential steps in promoting mental wellness in high temperatures. Proactive strategies by addressing the physiological and psychological effects of heat and considering the specific needs of vulnerable populations can help individuals and communities navigate the challenges posed by rising temperatures and promote resilience and preserve their mental well-being.

A retrospective study of air quality associated with teratogenic pathogen screening in women of reproductive age in southern China

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with a poor ambient atmospheric environment. Infections by teratogenic pathogens such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) are the main cause of the worse pregnant outcomes. However, environmental factors governing these infections are uncertain and epidemiological studies are limited. An epidemiological study on relationships between air pollutants and antibodies against teratogenic pathogens will be explored. In total, 5475 women of childbearing age were enrolled in the study between January 2018 and December 2019 in a hospital in Shantou, China. Antibodies against pathogens were measured by electrochemical luminescence. Everyday air quality data, concerning particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and other parameters, were acquired from a government web site, and the relationships between them were evaluated with nonparametric and multivariate linear regression analyses. Not only titers of herpes simplex virus HSV(I+II) IgGs in spring, but also titers of cytomegalovirus IgG (CMV IgG) and HSV I IgG in autumn, both had positive associations with concentrations of SO2. When PM2.5 or PM10 exposure is elevated, HSV(I+II) IgGs, TOX IgM should be paid more attention in spring or summer. Air pollution may be crucial for teratogenic pathogen infections. This study highlights air pollution could increase the risk of teratogenic pathogen infection, implying stronger measures should be taken to protect air environment and screenings of associated antibody should be strengthened in different season.