Life course models of economic stress and poor mental health in mid-adulthood: Results from the prospective Northern Swedish Cohort

Structural and functional brain correlates of socioeconomic status across the life span: A systematic review

It is well-established that higher socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with improved brain health. However, the effects of SES across different life stages on brain structure and function is still equivocal. In this systematic review, we aimed to synthesise findings from life course neuroimaging studies that investigated the structural and functional brain correlates of SES across the life span. The results indicated that higher SES across different life stages were independently and cumulatively related to neural outcomes typically reflective of greater brain health (e.g., increased cortical thickness, grey matter volume, fractional anisotropy, and network segregation) in adult individuals. The results also demonstrated that the corticolimbic system was most commonly impacted by socioeconomic disadvantages across the life span. This review highlights the importance of taking into account SES across the life span when studying its effects on brain health. It also provides directions for future research including the need for longitudinal and multimodal research that can inform effective policy interventions tailored to specific life stages.

Trends in the incidence and DALYs of anxiety disorders at the global, regional, and national levels: Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND

Anxiety disorders are the second leading mental health-related cause of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and years lived with disability (YLDs) worldwide. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the burden of anxiety disorders at the global, regional, and national levels in 1990 and 2019 and the trends over this period.

METHODS

We used data for incidence cases, DALYs, age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) from Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019) and calculated the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) to assess the incidence rate and DALYs rate trends for anxiety disorders.

RESULTS

The incidence cases of anxiety disorders increased by 47.19%, from 31.13 million in 1990 to 45.82 million in 2019, and DALYs increased by 53.70%, from 18.66 million in 1990 to 28.68 million in 2019. Over the past 29 years, the changes of ASIR and ASDR worldwide were stable (EAPC = 0.011 and -0.001, respectively). Women were more likely to experience anxiety disorders. Participants aged 10-14 had the highest incidence rate, followed by those aged 35-44. Those aged 15-19 and 40-44 had the highest estimated DALYs rate. The ASIR and ASDR were estimated to be the highest in Iran and Portugal, and Portugal and Brazil, respectively. Both of ASIR and ASDR were high in high- sociodemographic index regions in 2019.

LIMITATIONS

Further exploration of related risk factors needs to be analyzed in the future studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with 1990, the absolute increase in incidence cases and DALYs of anxiety disorders in 2019 still remained high. Our findings contribute to the formulation of health policies for controlling and preventing anxiety disorders in different countries and regions.

The time is now for public health to lead the way on addressing financial strain in Canada

Financial strain was an issue for many Canadians long before the arrival of the global novel coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. However, it has worsened in recent months in relation to the pandemic and public health measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Members of underserved groups and people who experience poverty are particularly vulnerable to financial strain and its negative health impacts. As public health professionals, we should be concerned. In this commentary, we discuss the concept of financial strain and its health consequences and highlight how existing research in the area is falling short and why. We suggest next steps to guide research and practice related to financial strain such that it reflects the core values of public health, including equity, life course approaches, and the social determinants of health. This commentary is a call to action for public health researchers and practitioners in Canada to take a more prominent role in shaping the agenda on financial strain to support financial well-being for all.

Explaining mental health inequalities in Northern Sweden: a decomposition analysis

Background: There has been a substantial increase of income inequalities in Sweden over the last 20 years, which also could be reflected in health inequalities, including mental health inequalities. Despite the growing body of literature focusing on health inequalities in Sweden, income-related inequalities in mental health have received little attention. Particularly scarce are research from Northern Sweden and examinations of the social determinants of health inequalities.

Objectives: The present study seeks to provide evidence regarding inequalities in mental health in Northern Sweden. The specific aims were to (1) quantify the income-related inequality in mental health in Northern Sweden, and (2) determine the contribution of social determinants to the inequality.

Methods: The study population comprised 25,646 participants of the 2014 Health on Equal Terms survey in the four northernmost counties of Sweden, aged 16 to 84 years old. Income-related inequalities in mental health were quantified by the concentration index and further decomposed by applying Wagstaff-type decomposition analysis.

Results: The overall concentration index of mental health in Northern Sweden was

−0.15 (95% CI: −0.17 to −0.13), indicating income inequalities in mental health disfavoring the less affluent population. The decomposition analysis results revealed that socio-economic conditions, including employment status (31%), income (22.6%), and cash margin (14%), made the largest contribution to the pro-rich inequalities in mental health. The second-largest contribution came from demographic factors, mainly age (11.3%) and gender (6%). Psychosocial factors were of smaller importance, with perceived discrimination (8%) and emotional support (3.4%) making moderate contributions to the health inequalities. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates substantial income-related mental health inequalities in Northern Sweden, and provides insights into their underpinnings. These findings suggest that addressing the root causes is essential for promoting mental health equity in this region.

What role does adolescent neighborhood play for adult health? A cross-classified multilevel analysis of life course models in Northern Sweden

This study examined whether, and by which life course models, adolescent neighborhood environment relate to health in mid-adulthood. Data came from the Northern Swedish Cohort (n=1001), surveyed at age 16, 21, 30 and 42 years including functional somatic symptoms at age 42, and individual disadvantage neighborhood disadvantage at all four ages. Results from cross-classified multilevel models showed that 12.7% of age 42 health variance was explained by an interaction of age 16 and age 42 neighborhood of residence. Our study thus suggests that health variation by neighborhood in mid-adulthood may partly depend on neighborhood of residence in adolescence.