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Rony MKK, Alamgir HM. High temperatures on mental health: Recognizing the association and the need for proactive strategies-A perspective. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1729. [PMID: 38059052 PMCID: PMC10696165 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1729] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moustaq Karim Khan Rony
- Department of Public HealthBangladesh Open UniversityGazipurBangladesh
- Department of Institute of Social Welfare and ResearchUniversity of DhakaDhakaBangladesh
| | - Hasnat M. Alamgir
- Department of Career & Professional Development Services (CPDS)Southeast UniversityDhakaBangladesh
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Dexter B, Smith A, King R, Downs NJ, Nikles CJ, Parisi AV, Ho YH, Harrison SL. Serial Cross-Sectional Observations of Sun-Protective Behaviors at an Annual Outdoor Motorsport Event in Tropical Queensland, Australia. Photochem Photobiol 2023; 99:1352-1356. [PMID: 36567625 DOI: 10.1111/php.13773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Skin cancer, the most prevalent cancer in Caucasians residing at low latitudes, can primarily be prevented by avoiding overexposure to sunlight. Serial cross-sectional observations were conducted at an outdoor motorsport event held in Townsville, Queensland each July (Southern winter) to determine whether sun-protection habits changed over time. Most (71.1%) of the 1337 attendees observed (97.6% lightly pigmented skin, 64.0% male) wore a hat (any style shading the face), while few (18.5%) wore three-quarter or full-length sleeves. While hat-wearing rates (any style) were similar in 2009 (326, 72.6%) and 2013 (625, 70.4%), the use of sun-protective styles (wide-brimmed/bucket/legionnaires) decreased from 29.2% to 18.6% over the same period, primarily because the use of sun-protective hats halved (from 28.7% to 14.0%) among females, while decreasing from 29.4% to 21.1% in males. Although relatively few individuals wore sun-protective (three-quarter-length or full-length) sleeves regardless of year (OR = 0.117, P < 0.0001), encouragingly, the use of sun-protective sleeves more than doubled between 2009 (10.5%) and 2013 (22.5%). Interestingly females, albeit the minority, at this sporting event were less likely to wear a hat (OR = 0.473, P < 0.0001) than males. These findings highlight the need for continued momentum toward skin cancer primary prevention through sun protection with a dedicated focus on outdoor sporting settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Dexter
- Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
| | - Annika Smith
- Skin Cancer Research Unit, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Melanoma Institute of Australia, Wollstonecraft, NSW, Australia
| | - Rachel King
- Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
| | - Nathan J Downs
- Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
- Skin Cancer Research Unit, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Catherine Jane Nikles
- Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alfio V Parisi
- Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
- Skin Cancer Research Unit, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Yik-Hong Ho
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Simone Lee Harrison
- Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
- Skin Cancer Research Unit, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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Thoonen K, Woodhouse S, Minto C, Blane S, Talati Z. Patterns of Sun Protection Behaviours among Australian Adolescents and Adults over a Six-Year Period. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:7178-7188. [PMID: 37623001 PMCID: PMC10453427 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30080520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The major cause for skin cancer is the excessive and unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which can be prevented by engaging in sun protection behaviours. As longitudinal studies on both adolescents' and adults' performances of sun protection behaviours are limited, the current study aimed to investigate changes in sun protection in these population segments in Western Australia, a region with high annual UVR. During six summer seasons (2015/16 to 2020/21), cross-sectional surveys were conducted among 1806 adolescents (14 to 17 years old) and 1808 adults (18-45 years old), investigating the frequency of five sun protection behaviours (wearing clothing, applying sunscreen, wearing a hat, wearing sunglasses, and seeking shade) and sun avoidance (staying indoors). Over the six-year period, staying indoors increased in both groups. Among adolescents, a decrease in wearing clothing and sunglasses and an increase in seeking shade was demonstrated, and hat and sunscreen use remained relatively stable. Among adults, an increase in sunscreen use was shown, whereas all other sun-related behaviours remained consistent over the six-year period. The results from this study can provide directions for health communications focusing on improving sun protection behaviours among both adolescent and adult populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn Thoonen
- Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Sade Woodhouse
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth 6845, Australia (Z.T.)
| | - Carolyn Minto
- Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth 6008, Australia;
| | - Sally Blane
- Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth 6008, Australia;
| | - Zenobia Talati
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth 6845, Australia (Z.T.)
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Hwang HJ, Choi YJ, Hong D. The Association between Self-Rated Health Status, Psychosocial Stress, Eating Behaviors, and Food Intake According to the Level of Sunlight Exposure in Korean Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:ijerph20010262. [PMID: 36612583 PMCID: PMC9819439 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Sunlight exposure has been reported to have various beneficial effects on human health. This study investigated the relationship between self-rated health status, psychosocial stress, eating behaviors, and food intake according to sunlight exposure in 948 adults. Sunlight exposure was classified as less than one hour, less than three hours, and greater than three hours. Of the participants, 49.2% had fewer than three hours of daily exposure to sunlight. Regarding participants exposed to sunlight for less than one hour, the largest response was that they did not engage in outdoor activities on weekdays or weekends, and the rate of being outdoors in the shade on sunny days was the highest in this group at 42.7%. Furthermore, the participants exposed to sunlight for less than one hour had a lower health response than the other two groups, and there were significantly more participants classified in the stress risk group. Regarding eating habits, those with less than an hour of exposure to sunlight frequently ate fried foods, fatty foods, added salt, and snacks, and had significantly lower total dietary scores or three regular meals. Additionally, their frequency of consumption of cereals, milk and dairy products, orange juice, and pork was also significantly lower than the other groups. Thus, it is necessary to provide sufficient guidelines for adequate sunlight exposure and food intake because participants with low sunlight exposure may have low vitamin D synthesis and insufficient food intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-Jeong Hwang
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Yean-Jung Choi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongwan Hong
- Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
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