Damp, Moldy Houses May Contribute To Depression

Main Category: Depression
Article Date: 24 Aug 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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Living in a damp and moldy house can contribute to depression independently of other personal and housing characteristics.

Based on a study of almost 6,000 adults living in eight European cities, researchers found that dampness and mold in a home is associated with elevated risk of depression. This heightened risk seemed to be due to both a perceived lack of control over the housing environment and physical health problems that are likely to be related to mold exposure.

The study's authors said their findings underscore "the importance of housing conditions as determinants of mental health and the importance of housing as a medium for universal health promotion efforts." They suggested more study into the issue to determine if the increased risk for depression was directly related to moldy and damp surroundings.

[From: "Dampness and Mold in the Home and Depression: An Examination of Mold-Related Illness and Perceived Control as Possible Pathways." Contact: Edmond D. Shenassa, ScD, Brown Medical School, Providence, R.I., edmond_shenassa@brown.edu .]

The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly journal of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the oldest organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of books and periodicals promoting sound scientific standards, action programs and public policy to enhance health.

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