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Cherbuin N, Bansal A, Dahlstrom JE, Carlisle H, Broom M, Nanan R, Sutherland S, Vardoulakis S, Phillips CB, Peek MJ, Christensen BK, Davis D, Nolan CJ. Bushfires and Mothers' Mental Health in Pregnancy and Recent Post-Partum. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 21:7. [PMID: 38276795 PMCID: PMC10815782 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The compounding effects of climate change catastrophes such as bushfires and pandemics impose significant burden on individuals, societies, and their economies. The enduring effects of such syndemics on mental health remain poorly understood, particularly for at-risk populations (e.g., pregnant women and newborns). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of direct and indirect exposure to the 2019/20 Australian Capital Territory and South-Eastern New South Wales bushfires followed by COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of pregnant women and mothers with newborn babies. METHODS All women who were pregnant, had given birth, or were within three months of conceiving during the 2019/2020 bushfires, lived within the catchment area, and provided consent were invited to participate. Those who consented were asked to complete three online surveys. Mental health was assessed with the DASS-21 and the WHO-5. Bushfire, smoke, and COVID-19 exposures were assessed by self-report. Cross-sectional associations between exposures and mental health measures were tested with hierarchical regression models. RESULTS Of the women who participated, and had minimum data (n = 919), most (>75%) reported at least one acute bushfire exposure and 63% reported severe smoke exposure. Compared to Australian norms, participants had higher depression (+12%), anxiety (+35%), and stress (+43%) scores. Women with greater exposure to bushfires/smoke but not COVID-19 had poorer scores on all mental health measures. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide novel evidence that the mental health of pregnant women and mothers of newborn babies is vulnerable to major climate catastrophes such as bushfires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Cherbuin
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Amita Bansal
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (A.B.); (C.J.N.)
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Jane E. Dahlstrom
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (A.B.); (C.J.N.)
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia; (H.C.)
| | - Hazel Carlisle
- The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia; (H.C.)
| | - Margaret Broom
- The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia; (H.C.)
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia;
| | - Ralph Nanan
- Sydney Medical School and Charles Perkins Centre Nepean, University of Sydney, Penrith, NSW 2750, Australia;
| | - Stewart Sutherland
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (A.B.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Sotiris Vardoulakis
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Christine B. Phillips
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (A.B.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Michael J. Peek
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (A.B.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Bruce K. Christensen
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (A.B.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Deborah Davis
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia;
- Nursing and Midwifery Office, ACT Government Health Directorate, Phillip, ACT 2606, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Nolan
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (A.B.); (C.J.N.)
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia; (H.C.)
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Bansal A, Cherbuin N, Leach L, Simmons RA, Nolan CJ. Wildfires and COVID-19: syndemic impact on maternal and child health. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023; 34:779-782. [PMID: 37658035 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and climate change-mediated wildfires can combine to impact maternal-child health, yet this connection remains understudied. To shape policies and design interventions to mitigate the combined effects of future global catastrophes, it is vital to holistically evaluate the impact of syndemics on maternal-child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Bansal
- School of Medicine and Psychology, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; John Curtin School of Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Liana Leach
- National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Rebecca A Simmons
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christopher J Nolan
- School of Medicine and Psychology, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; John Curtin School of Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, ACT 2601, Australia
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