August 28, 2024 – A recent study published by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has found that “unhealthy commodities” such as tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, social media, and fossil fuels are associated with a range of mental health problems, including depression, suicide, and self-harm. The study, led by Kate Dun-Campbell and her colleagues, highlights the significant mental health risks posed by these products and the broader impact of fossil fuel consumption, which contributes to climate change and air pollution.
Globally, approximately one in eight individuals lives with a mental health disorder, including conditions like depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies. While the causes of these disorders are multifaceted, the study points to “commercial determinants of health”—the influence of commercial activities and products on public health and equity—as a significant factor. The research specifically examines how certain harmful commodities, such as alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy foods, and fossil fuels, may contribute to deteriorating mental health.
To explore these connections, the researchers conducted an umbrella synthesis of 65 review studies, focusing on six key commodities: tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, gambling, social media, and fossil fuels. The review also considered studies that explored the mental health impacts of fossil fuel-related phenomena such as climate change and air pollution.
The findings revealed strong evidence linking depression with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, ultra-processed foods, and exposure to air pollution. Additionally, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, climate change, and air pollution were associated with higher rates of suicide. Social media was also identified as a factor in self-harm, while climate change and air pollution were further linked to increased anxiety.
Although the study brought together diverse methodologies and metrics, it could not definitively pinpoint the underlying causes of these negative mental health outcomes. However, the authors suggest that unhealthy commodities should be considered a crucial factor in efforts to understand and address mental health challenges.
“Our review underscores the compelling evidence of the detrimental impact of unhealthy products on mental health, despite ongoing gaps in our understanding of the broader commercial practices,” the authors stated.