Abstract
Problem Significance
Depression is the most common mental health disorder observed in flood-prone regions. Minorities, those of low socioeconomic and other socially vulnerable subpopulations are
most likely to have depression and/or poor mental health and also more likely to inhabit the most flood-prone regions in Sacramento.
Analysis and Objectives
Environmental and behavioral factors increase risk for depression. Political factors such as historical practices of “redlining”, and environmental factors such as climate change, crumbling infrastructure, lack of investment in infrastructure, and disproportionate distribution of resources such as tree canopy, continues to increase the disproportionate poor mental health for socially vulnerable populations that inhabit flood-prone regions today. Behavioral factors such as alcohol use, sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical exercise also increase the risk for depression. Deficient tree canopy has also been associated with increased risk for depression, and low-income communities of color are more likely to have deficient tree canopy. The overall goal for this project is to reduce risk for depression in this project’s target community ZIP code 95833, in Sacramento, CA. Objectives which address knowledge and perceptions regarding alcohol use, positive coping skill-building, and tree canopy, are determined as modifiable factors to reduce the overall risk for depression in this community.
Intervention (Solution) Proposal
An educational strategy to target knowledge and perceptions regarding alcohol use, and positive coping skill-building is recommended. Additionally, a social-vulnerability informed policy proposal is recommended for the City of Sacramento. This policy addresses deficient canopy in ZIP code 95833 through creation of a community-based multi-sector coalition, and partnership with the Sacrament Tree Foundation to prioritize funding for the planting of trees on public lands in the target community.
Recommendations and Conclusions
This project recommends implementation of the educational and policy strategies to address increased risk for mental health in flood-prone ZIP code 95833 in Sacramento, California. This project comprehensively addresses a modifiable behavioral and environmental determinant of increased risk for depression and poor mental health.