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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

John R. Beard, MBBS PhD, FAFPHM¹, Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH², Danielle C. Ompad, PhD³, and David Vlahov, PhD³. (1) Centre for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Acadamy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, (2) Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1214 South University, Room 243, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, (3) Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212-419-3589, dompad@nyam.org

Over the past 20 years, the increasing application of population-based methods to mental health research has improved our understanding of the high prevalence of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, and identified a range of associated behaviours, experiences and individual traits. This is particularly important since these studies have regularly shown that most subjects suffering from these conditions never seek clinical help, and study populations drawn only from clinical settings may not be representative of the broader community. However, most research has been cross-sectional in nature, limiting our capacity to determine the etiology of, and identify risk factors for, these common conditions. Large prospective population-based studies are needed to better understand these causal relationships and to design programs to promote mental health. This paper will summarise the findings from two large prospective studies, the World Trade Centre Cohort and the Northern Rivers Mental Health Study (NoRMHS). Multivariate analysis from these studies suggests that mental health is influenced by the life stressors we experience, our susceptibility and by identifiable components of our social and physical environment. Future research can help confirm these relationships and inform the development of effective public health interventions for promoting mental health. However a range of methodological challenges, including the validity of the instruments commonly used in population-based mental health research, need to be addressed to ensure studies are rigorous and relevant. We will use the experience of these two innovative studies to highlight the possibilities and potential pitfalls of future research in this field.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognise key approaches to population-based mental health research.
• Understand the limitations of some of the methods and instruments used
• Recognise some of the opportunities for future research in this field

Keywords: Depression, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation