Light pollution, sleep and mental health

This study analyzed how outdoor nighttime light pollution is related to mental health among adults. Artificial light due to billboards, streetlamps, etc., is more and more becoming a health problem in cities. Previous research suggests that nighttime light might negatively affect mental health by disrupting natural sleep patterns. We aimed to examine if sleep problems indeed play a role in connecting nighttime light to mental health issues. Through some statistical models, we showed that nighttime light was related to people’s mental health conditions and their sleep problems. While the direct effect of nighttime light on mental health was small, the overall relation to mental health problems – including its impact through sleep – was still positive. The findings suggest that outdoor nighttime light could negatively affect mental health, largely by disrupting sleep. As outdoor nighttime light continues to rise, we advocate for policies aimed at reducing it to improve public health.