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The Long-Term Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Women’s Depression and Mental Distress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2018

Ariane Lisann Rung Open the ORCID record for Ariane Lisann Rung [Opens in a new window] ,
Evrim Oral ,
Elizabeth Fontham ,
Daniel J. Harrington ,
Edward J. Trapido  and
Edward S. Peters
Ariane Lisann Rung*
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Evrim Oral
Affiliation:
Biostatistics Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Elizabeth Fontham
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Daniel J. Harrington
Affiliation:
Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Edward J. Trapido
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Edward S. Peters
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Ariane Lisann Rung, PhD, MPH, Epidemiology Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health, 2020 Gravier Street, 3rd floor, New Orleans, LA 70112-2784 (e-mail: [email protected])
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Abstract

Objective

The purpose of the study is to describe changes in mental health among women following an oil spill and to examine their association with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DHOS).

Methods

The Women and Their Children’s Health study followed 2038 women in Louisiana after the DHOS. Subjects were interviewed in 2012-2014 and 2014-2016. Oil spill exposure was characterized using survey items about economic and physical exposures. Outcomes were depressive symptoms and mental distress.

Results

After adjustment for relevant demographics, depressive symptoms increased over 2 time points following the DHOS, whereas symptoms of mental distress decreased. For every year increase in time since the DHOS, the rate ratio for depressive symptoms increased by a factor of 1.08. In contrast, the rate ratio for mental distress decreased by a factor of 0.97. In addition, initial associations between economic and physical exposure to the DHOS persisted up to 6 years after the spill; women who were more highly exposed experienced higher levels of depressive symptoms (rate ratios ranged from 1.08 to 1.11) and mental distress (rate ratios from 1.05 to 1.11) at each time point than women who were less exposed.

Conclusion

A better understanding of recovery patterns following an oil spill can help direct critical mental health response efforts. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:183–190)

Keywords

oil spilldisasterlongitudinalmental healthwomen
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , April 2019 , pp. 183 - 190
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2018 

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