Psychological Symptoms Among Evacuees From the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires: A Population-Based Survey One Year Later

Belleville, Geneviève; Ouellet, Marie‐Christine; Lebel, Jessica; Ghosh, Sunita; Morin, Charles M.; Bouchard, Stéphane; Guay, Stéphane; Bergeron, Nathalie; Campbell, Tavis S.; MacMaster, Frank P.

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.655357

Cited by 31 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…People exposed to wildfires report higher levels of distress and more symptoms of somatization, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, and psychopathology [ 62 – 64 ]. They also have increased risk of post-traumatic distress disorder (PTSD), and insomnia [ 65 , 66 ], persisting even 1 year later [ 67 ]. These mental health complications are known to increase the risk of pregnancy outcomes including gestational complications, pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, and low birthweight [ 68 – 70 ].…”

Section: Direct Impacts Of Climate Change On Pregnancy Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Changing Climate and Pregnancy Health

2022

Curr Envir Health Rpt

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Purpose of Review Climate change is the biggest public health threat of the twenty-first century but its impact on the perinatal period has only recently received attention. This review summarizes recent literature regarding the impacts of climate change and related environmental disasters on pregnancy health and provides recommendations to inform future adaptation and mitigation efforts. Recent Findings Accumulating evidence suggests that the changing climate affects pregnancy health directly via discrete environmental disasters (i.e., wildfire, extreme heat, hurricane, flood, and drought), and indirectly through changes in the natural and social environment. Although studies vary greatly in design, analytic methods, and assessment strategies, they generally converge to suggest that climate-related disasters are associated with increased risk of gestational complication, pregnancy loss, restricted fetal growth, low birthweight, preterm birth, and selected delivery/newborn complications. Window(s) of exposure with the highest sensitivity are not clear, but both acute and chronic exposures appear important. Furthermore, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations may be more vulnerable. Summary Policy, clinical, and research strategies for adaptation and mitigation should be continued, strengthened, and expanded with cross-disciplinary efforts. Top priorities should include (a) reinforcing and expanding policies to further reduce emission, (b) increasing awareness and education resources for healthcare providers and the public, (c) facilitating access to quality population-based data in low-resource areas, and (d) research efforts to better understand mechanisms of effects, identify susceptible populations and windows of exposure, explore interactive impacts of multiple exposures, and develop novel methods to better quantify pregnancy health impacts.

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Section: Direct Impacts Of Climate Change On Pregnancy Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Changing Climate and Pregnancy Health

2022

Curr Envir Health Rpt

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“…Furthermore, our therapists within the study had some differences, such as their previous clinical experience and present caseload, which might have also impacted their experiences [ 35 ]. However, this case study’s findings regarding therapist concerns and initial first-hand experiences with blended interventions for natural disaster survivors may still be helpful when preparing for new interventions under different circumstances.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A year after the disaster, in a representative sample of 1510 evacuees, 38% reported symptom levels indicative of a probable diagnosis of either post-traumatic stress, major depression, insomnia, generalized anxiety, substance use disorder, or a combination of these disorders [ 35 ]. In order to provide support to the evacuees with these symptoms, our team of researchers and clinicians gathered an arsenal of well-evidenced CBT strategies into a 12-module online RESILIENT therapy program.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trainee Therapists’ Perceptions of a Blended Intervention to Promote Resilience after a Natural Disaster: A Qualitative Case Study

Békés

Belleville

Lebel

et al. 2022

JCM

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Background: Natural disasters happen in an increased frequency, and telemental health interventions could offer easily accessible help to reduce mental health symptoms experienced by survivors. However, there are very few programs offered to natural disaster survivors, and no research exists on therapists’ experiences with providing blended interventions for natural disaster survivors. Aims: Our qualitative case study aims to describe psychologists’ experiences with an online, therapist-assisted blended intervention for survivors of the Fort McMurray wildfires in Alberta, Canada. Method: The RESILIENT intervention was developed in the frames of a randomized controlled trial to promote resilience after the Fort McMurray wildfires by providing survivors free access to a 12-module, therapist-assisted intervention, aiming to improve post-traumatic stress, insomnia, and depression symptoms. A focus group design was used to collect data from the therapists, and emerging common themes were identified by thematic analysis. Results: Therapists felt they could build strong alliances and communicate emotions and empathy effectively, although the lack of nonverbal cues posed some challenges. The intervention, according to participating therapists, was less suitable for participants in high-stress situations and in case of discrepancy between client expectations and the intervention content. Moreover, the therapists perceived specific interventions as easy-to-use or as more challenging based on their complexity and on the therapist support needed for executing them. Client engagement in the program emerged as an underlying theme that had fundamental impact on alliance, communication, and ultimately, treatment efficiency. Therapist training and supervision was perceived as crucial for the success of the program delivery. Conclusions: Our findings provided several implications for the optimalization of blended interventions for natural disaster survivors from our therapists’ perspective.

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“…Landscape fire events may also contribute to mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression [21][22][23]. A longitudinal study conducted 3 to 4 years after the Victorian Black Saturday landscape fire in Australia (2009) found that people in highly affected areas had a higher rate of PTSD and depression than those from less affected areas [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of prolonged landscape fire smoke exposure on women with asthma in Australia

Beyene

Murphy

Gibson

et al. 2022

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background Little is known about the physical and mental health impact of exposure to landscape fire smoke in women with asthma. This study examined the health impacts and information-seeking behaviours of women with asthma exposed to the 2019/2020 Australian fires, including women who were pregnant. Methods Women with asthma were recruited from the Breathing for Life Trial in Australia. Following the landscape fire exposure period, self-reported data were collected regarding symptoms (respiratory and non-respiratory), asthma exacerbations, wellbeing, quality of life, information seeking, and landscape fire smoke exposure mitigation strategies. Participants’ primary residential location and fixed site monitoring was used to geolocate and estimate exposure to landscape fire-related fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). Results The survey was completed by 81 pregnant, 70 breastfeeding and 232 non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding women with asthma. Participants had a median daily average of 17 μg/m3 PM2.5 and 105 μg/m3 peak PM2.5 exposure over the fire period (October 2019 to February 2020). Over 80% of participants reported non-respiratory and respiratory symptoms during the fire period and 41% reported persistent symptoms. Over 82% reported asthma symptoms and exacerbations of asthma during the fire period. Half the participants sought advice from a health professional for their symptoms. Most (97%) kept windows/doors shut when inside and 94% stayed indoors to minimise exposure to landscape fire smoke. Over two in five (43%) participants reported that their capacity to participate in usual activities was reduced due to prolonged smoke exposure during the fire period. Participants reported greater anxiety during the fire period than after the fire period (mean (SD) = 53(13) versus 39 (13); p < 0.001). Two in five (38%) pregnant participants reported having concerns about the effect of fire events on their pregnancy. Conclusion Prolonged landscape fire smoke exposure during the 2019/2020 Australian fire period had a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of women with asthma, including pregnant women with asthma. This was despite most women taking actions to minimise exposure to landscape fire smoke. Effective and consistent public health messaging is needed during landscape fire events to guard the health of women with asthma.

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Psychological Symptoms Among Evacuees From the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires: A Population-Based Survey One Year Later

Cited by 31 publications

References 50 publications

The Changing Climate and Pregnancy Health

The Changing Climate and Pregnancy Health

Trainee Therapists’ Perceptions of a Blended Intervention to Promote Resilience after a Natural Disaster: A Qualitative Case Study

The impact of prolonged landscape fire smoke exposure on women with asthma in Australia

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