Preventable physical illness in people with mental illness
University of Western Australia School of Population Health - "This unique study has examined the health experience of 240,000 Western Australians who have used mental health services during 1980-98 (representing about 8% of the population at any one time). Using de-identified data, their hospital admission rates, cancer incidence rates and death rates have been examined. People with mental illness are among the most marginalized people in our community. The consequences of mental illness often extend beyond the direct symptoms of the illness to affect people’s social and economic well being and all aspects of their lives. The aim of this study was to examine the physical health of people with mental illness. The purpose was to provide data that can be used to improve health services and design health promotion activities that can be specifically targeted at people with mental illness." There are three documents that can be downloaded and may be slow depending on the speed of your connection. We suggest that you read the two summaries first. If you have any comments, you can contact one of the authors at D'Arcy Holman [darcy@dph.uwa.edu.au]
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Story at the NAMI web site on an exhibit of 20 black-and-white photographs of mentally ill people and their families on display at the library in Ithaca, New York - "There are several text panels that recount the personal stories of those who have directly or indirectly faced the stigma attached with mental illness. The idea behind the exhibit -'Nothing to Hide: Mental Illness in the Family' - is to challenge those stigmas."
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University of Washington press release at EurekAlert - "When women engage in a technique called emotion coaching, even in families where there is domestic violence, their children are less aggressive, depressed and withdrawn, researchers have found. The new study also suggests that women who are victims of low levels of battering are just as likely as non-battered women to coach their children about their emotions, protecting youngsters from some of the behavior problems associated with being exposed to family violence. The role of fathers was less clear, although the study indicates that when fathers do emotion coaching their children are less withdrawn, according to Lynn Fansilber Katz, lead author of the study and a University of Washington research associate professor of psychology."
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University of California, Davis - Medical Center press release at EurekAlert - "Researchers have found altered gene activity in people who suffer from major depression, a discovery that may one day help doctors better diagnose and treat the condition. The research, conducted by a consortium of four universities, appears this week in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS). Scientists found that the fibroblast growth factor system, which is a family of proteins involved in the growth, development and maintenance of nerve cells, had an overall decrease in levels in patients who had major depressive disorder. Proteins are the products of gene expression..."
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New Zealand Herald story - "A reluctance for people experiencing mental illness to get help could change the shape of the country's mental health services, a meeting in Rotorua was told. About 20 people attended the public consultation meeting this week to discuss Health Ministry draft plans for the future of mental health and addiction services. The plan, Improving Mental Health, aims to build on existing national mental health strategy by taking advantage of new opportunities provided by the development of Primary Health Organisations (PHOs)."
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AP story at InteliHealth - "Shauna Murphy thinks it's a smart idea to put warning labels on antidepressants. She has good reason. Nine years ago, at age 10, she was put on a particular brand of the medication and, shortly after, tried to kill herself. It's the kind of outcome that has prompted the Food and Drug Administration to begin work on writing "black box" warnings -- the strongest caution possible -- for young people who take antidepressants. Some parents have already taken their children off the drugs. But even with the troubles they've had, Murphy and her parents are not speaking out against antidepressants. Instead, they are among a number of families, doctors and mental health groups who -- worried the warning labels might stop some people from seeking treatment -- are taking the opportunity to encourage families to get help for young people with depression and other mental health issues..."
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Psychiatric News story - "NAMI's new executive director plans to build upon alliances with other organizations, including APA, to improve the lives of people with mental illness. By strengthening ties with a number of organizations inside and outside of the mental health sector, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Executive Director Michael Fitzpatrick hopes to fulfill a number of goals, including expanding access to mental health services for those who need them and erasing the stigma associated with brain disorders."
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Medscape Business of Medicine story - "Several cities and states have lost patience with national leaders who continue debating the relative benefits and dangers of importing less-expensive medicines from other countries. Some cities, in fact, already are saving millions of dollars through their own import programs, in defiance of federal government warnings..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
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Medscape Medical News story - "The atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole (Abilify) is as effective as haloperidol and significantly more effective than placebo at treating acute agitation in psychotic patients, according to an international team of investigators who presented their findings here at the 17th congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
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Copyright 2003 © Bill Davis.
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