New study finds disturbing link between postpartum depression and environmental factors — here are the details

It’s no secret that polluted air harms our lungs and respiratory system. Now new research is finding out how it also affects our brains. In particular, there are new links between air pollution and postpartum depression in new mothers.

what is happening

LA Times reported on the results of a study by the University of Southern California, which focused on how different levels of air pollution affect the mental health of young mothers.

The study followed 350 mothers from the beginning of pregnancy to three years after childbirth, collecting data on the mental well-being of mothers and their exposure to polluted air.

The results showed that mothers with higher second-trimester exposure to nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter were “almost four times more likely to experience depression within three years after pregnancy,” LA Times reported.

Factors such as financial stress or language barriers in the health care system may affect women in areas with high levels of air pollution, the study says, but the science of the negative effects of air pollution on our brains is becoming clearer. trans LA Times.

Why is this research worrying?

The results of this study are concerning because postpartum depression is already an often overlooked struggle faced by millions of women. If air pollution is confirmed as a risk factor in our unhealthy world, many more women could be affected.

AND report T. Chan from the Harvard School of Public Health described in detail the impact of poor air quality on mental health, declaring that “exposure to high levels of air pollution over the past five years may lead to reduced quality of life and an increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.”

There are also studies that show that air pollution can increase the likelihood of developing dementia.

Poor air quality caused by many factors, but the main causes are combustion dirty energy sources such as coal and oil, forest firesand mobile polluters such as cars, buses, planes and boats.

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The world is still dealing with huge amounts of pollutants being released into the air each year, which creates a greater risk of postpartum depression.

What is being done about the effects of air pollution on mental health?

Many things are being done to address not only poor air quality, but also its effects. One example is an organization Maternal Mental Health NOWwhich focuses on providing expectant and new mothers with support and resources to deal with postpartum mental health.

In addition, there are many actions you can take to contribute to improving air quality. Given that the two biggest sources of air pollution are dirty energy sources and mobile sources, switching to clean energy in his own house — and also considering an electric car — can be of great importance.

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