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A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health on August 28, 2024, reveals a significant connection between the consumption of “unhealthy commodities”—including tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, social media, and fossil fuels—and various mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, suicide, and self-harm. The study, led by Kate Dun-Campbell from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, underscores the potential impact of these commodities on global mental health.
A Global Mental Health Crisis
Currently, approximately one in eight people worldwide suffers from a mental health disorder. These conditions, which include depression, anxiety, suicide, and other psychological disorders, have complex and multifaceted causes. However, recent research is shedding light on the role of “commercial determinants of health,” which refers to the ways in which commercial products and practices influence health outcomes and equity.
Unhealthy commodities, as identified in the study, are significant commercial determinants of mental health. These include the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, ultra-processed foods, and the use of social media, as well as the broader impacts of fossil fuel consumption, such as climate change and air pollution.
Comprehensive Review of Unhealthy Commodities
To better understand the relationship between these commodities and mental health, the researchers conducted an umbrella synthesis of 65 review studies. These reviews examined the connections between six specific commodities—tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, gambling, social media, and fossil fuels—and their impacts on mental health.
The analysis revealed compelling evidence linking depression to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, ultra-processed foods, and exposure to air pollution. Moreover, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, and the environmental consequences of fossil fuel use were associated with increased rates of suicide. Social media, in particular, was also linked to self-harm. Additionally, anxiety was found to be connected to climate change and air pollution.
Implications for Public Health
While the study’s umbrella review brought together various methodologies and measurements, it did not establish definitive causality between these commodities and negative mental health outcomes. However, the findings indicate a strong correlation that should not be ignored. The researchers emphasize the importance of considering the influence of unhealthy commodities when investigating the root causes of mental health disorders and developing strategies to improve mental health globally.
“Our review highlights that there is already compelling evidence of the negative impact of unhealthy products on mental health, despite key gaps in understanding the impact of broader commercial practices,” the authors noted.
Moving Forward
The findings of this study suggest that public health initiatives should prioritize addressing the mental health risks associated with the consumption of these unhealthy commodities. By targeting these commercial determinants of health, there is potential to mitigate the growing global burden of mental health disorders.
The full study, titled “Commercial Determinants of Mental Ill Health: An Umbrella Review,” is available in PLOS Global Public Health and provides a comprehensive analysis of the links between commercial products and mental health outcomes.
For more information, refer to the original study in PLOS Global Public Health (2024), DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003605.
