Mental health and well-being are consistently influenced directly or indirectly by multiple environmental exposures. In this review, we have attempted to address sonic of the most conunon exposures of the biophysical environment, with a goal of demonstrating how those factors interact with central structures and functions of the brain and thus influence the neurobiology of depression. We emphasize biochemical mechanisms, observational evidence, and areas for future research. Finally, we include aspects of contextual environments city living, nature, natural disasters, and climate change and call for improved integration of environmental issues in public health science, policies, and activities. This integration is necessary for reducing the global pandemic of depression.
1.Univ British Columbia, Sch Populat & Publ Hlth, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada 2.Univ British Columbia, Dept Forest & Conservat Sci, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada 3.Heidelberg Univ, Med Fac Mannheim, Cent Inst Mental Hlth, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
Recommended Citation:
van den Bosch, Matilda,Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas. Environmental Exposures and Depression: Biological Mechanisms and Epidemiological Evidence[J]. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PUBLIC HEALTH, VOL 40,2019-01-01,40:239-259