Fukushima, mental health and suicide

Maeda, Masaharu; Oe, Misari; Bromet, Evelyn J.; Yasumura, Seiji; Ohto, Hitoshi

doi:10.1136/jech-2015-207086

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Psychological distress after the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident has been a serious problem. [ 32 ] Although we did not find a significant association between HEA and psychological distress or PTSD in the present cross-sectional study, FHMS has shown that psychological distress influenced many lifestyle factors such as physical activity, alcohol intake, diet, and sleep status. [ 13 – 16 ] A longitudinal study may be able to clarify the association between HEA and these disaster-related factors.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 79%

Effects of lifestyle on hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

Takahashi

Ohira²,

Okazaki³

et al. 2018

Medicine

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Dramatic lifestyle changes due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident increased the prevalence of hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities (HEA). We aimed to evaluate associations of HEA with specific lifestyle- and disaster-related factors in residents who lived near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.This cross-sectional study included 22,246 residents who underwent a Comprehensive Health Check and the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey from June 2011 to March 2012. Residents were divided into 2 groups based on residential area and housing status after the accident. Associations between HEA and lifestyle- and disaster-related factors, including psychological distress, were estimated using logistic regression analysis adjusted for demographic and lifestyle factors.HEA was present in 27.3% of subjects. The prevalence of HEA was significantly higher in evacuees than controls (29.5% vs 25.7%, P < .001). There were significant differences in various lifestyle characteristics and the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder between evacuees and controls. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, moderate to heavy drinking, and low/no physical activity were significantly associated with HEA regardless of evacuation status. Changes in jobs and unemployment were significantly associated with HEA in controls and evacuees, respectively.Lifestyle and disaster-related factors, but not psychological distress, were associated with HEA among subjects who lived near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 79%

Effects of lifestyle on hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

Takahashi

Ohira²,

Okazaki³

et al. 2018

Medicine

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“…Furthermore, given the unfortunate situation that robust stigma against psychiatric disorders still exists in Japan, 44 a community-based campaign to dispel public stigma toward psychiatric treatments as well as “radiation stigma” as described above is also needed. 45…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health Consequences and Social Issues After the Fukushima Disaster

Maeda

2017

Asia Pac J Public Health

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124

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The Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent nuclear power plant accident caused multidimensional and long-term effects on the mental health condition of people living in Fukushima. In this article, focusing on the influence of the nuclear disaster, we present an overview of studies regarding the psychosocial consequences of people in Fukushima. Studies revealed that the experiences of the explosions at the plant as well as the tsunami are deeply embedded in their memory, leading to posttraumatic responses. Chronic physical diseases, worries about livelihood, lost jobs, lost social ties, and concerns about compensation were also associated with posttraumatic responses. Furthermore, the radioactive fallout brought chronic anxiety regarding physical risks of radiation exposure to people, especially young mothers. People often have different opinions about the radiation risk and their own future plans, resulting in a reduction in the resilience that communities and families had before the disaster. In addition, such weakened community resilience may produce a significant increase in disasterrelated suicide in Fukushima. Specific social issues, such as "radiation stigma" among the public and self-stigma among evacuees, that are never seen with other natural disasters also increased in Fukushima.

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“… 44 These results suggest the importance of risk communication as a strategy for preventing severe mental disorders and their consequences, such as depression and committing suicide, which are recognised as major public concerns in Fukushima. 45 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of severe psychological distress trajectory after nuclear disaster: evidence from the Fukushima Health Management Survey

Maeda

Nagai

et al. 2016

BMJ Open

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ObjectivesThe Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, which occurred after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in March 2011, may have a considerable long-term impact on the lives of area residents. The aims of this study were to determine the trajectories of psychological distress using 3-year consecutive data, and to find predictive factors of severe distress that may also prove useful for public health intervention.MethodsData were obtained on 12 371 residents who were registered in the municipalities categorised as complete evacuation areas for 3 years after the disaster and who completed an assessment in each of the 3 years.ResultsUsing group-based trajectory modelling, we identified four trajectory patterns distinguished by the levels of psychological distress, which gradually improved over time in all trajectories. Subjective sleep insufficiency, problem drinking, poor social support and perception of radiation risk 3 years after the accident were associated with the severity of psychological distress, according to the multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe identified factors may be useful for community-based mental healthcare over the long term following a nuclear disaster.

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Fukushima, mental health and suicide

Cited by 14 publications

References 11 publications

Effects of lifestyle on hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

Effects of lifestyle on hepatobiliary enzyme abnormalities following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

Mental Health Consequences and Social Issues After the Fukushima Disaster

Predictors of severe psychological distress trajectory after nuclear disaster: evidence from the Fukushima Health Management Survey

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