Immediate and long-term health impact of exposure to gas-mining induced earthquakes and related environmental stressors

Abstract

Background Little is known about the public health impact of chronic exposure to physical and social stressors in the human environment. Objective of this study was to investigate the immediate and long-term health effects of living in an environment with gas-mining induced earthquakes and related stressors in the Netherlands. Methods Data on psychological, somatic and social problems recorded routinely in electronic health records by general practitioners during a 6-year period (2010–2015) were combined with socioeconomic status and seismicity data. To assess immediate health effects of exposure to ML≥1.5 earthquakes, relative risk ratios were calculated for patients in the week of an earthquake and the week afterwards, and compared to the week before the earthquake. To analyse long-term health effects, relative risks of different groups, adjusted for age, sex and socioeconomic status, were computed per year and compared. Results Apart from an increase in suicidality, few immediate health changes were found in an earthquake week or week afterwards. Generally, the prevalence of health problems was higher in the mining province in the first years, but dropped to levels equal to or even below the control group in subsequent years, with lower relative risks observed in more frequently exposed patients. Conclusions From a public health perspective, the findings are fascinating. Contrary to our expectation, health problems presented in general practice in the earthquake province decreased during the study period. More frequently exposed populations reported fewer health issues to general practitioners, which might point at health adaptation to chronic exposure to stressors.

The Integrated Health Monitor COVID-19: A Protocol for a Comprehensive Assessment of the Short- and Long-Term Health Impact of the Pandemic in the Netherlands

“…The primary objectives of these literature reviews are twofold: firstly, to compile a comprehensive overview of the pandemic's effects on the general population and vulnerable groups; secondly, to enhance monitoring efforts by identifying knowledge gaps and providing input for further, in-depth research, thereby informing other aspects of the monitoring process. The yearly repetition of the literature review enables the assessment of the impact of the pan- The outcome parameters used in the Integrated Health Monitor COVID-19 are based on earlier health disaster research [18][19][20][21][22][23][24], such as (posttraumatic) stress and suicidal thoughts. Other outcome parameters included are those that were already present in the existing research structures for comparison with the pre-pandemic situation.…”

“…Box 2 provides examples of findings from both data sources in short-cycle monitoring. Based on quarterly panel surveys among youth and young adults (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) since September 2021, it was concluded that the mental health of this population deteriorated after the last severe lockdown period in the Netherlands during the winter of 2021/2022. The first measurement of 2022, for instance, indicated an increase in suicide ideation experienced by participants during the last three months from 8.5% (December 2021) to 16.8% (March 2022).…”

Landelijk gezondheidsonderzoek bij rampen

“…Zo is gezondheidsonderzoek gestart na de vuurwerkramp in Enschede (2000), de Nieuwjaarsbrand in Volendam (2001), de poldercrash (2009) en de ramp met vlucht MH17 (2014). Het enige voorbeeld van longitudinaal GOR bij een langslepende crisis in Nederland betreft de aardbevingsproblematiek in Groningen [ 10 ].…”