Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of June 29, 2009
Mental Health in the Headlines offers summaries of the latest news and views in the mental health field. Coverage of news items in this publication does not represent Mental Health America's support for or opposition to the stories summarized or the views they express.
*DID YOU KNOW?
Cancer is the second leading cause of death for people with schizophrenia, after suicide...more
*TODAY’S NEWS
Health Reform Receives Boost from Deal on Price Tag
An effort to cut the price tag of a health reform plan is giving a boost to President Obama’s drive to overhaul the health care system. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus last week announced that panel members had found a way to bring the overall cost of reform to about $1 trillion over 10 years—down from the initial estimate of $1.6 trillion. Baucus said the agreement moves lawmakers closer to an agreement. But a final deal is not yet in reach. (Reuters, 6/28/09)
Medical Groups Back Comparative Effectiveness Legislation
Major medical organizations are urging health committees in the House and Senate to make comparative effectiveness research a key component of healthcare reform. A Senate bill calls for a new federal center on health outcomes research. The American Medical Association and more than 60 other groups signed a letter supporting the effort. (Modern Healthcare Magazine, 6/26/09)
Recession Forcing Hospitals to Cut Services
Hospitals are eliminating departments and other services, such as mental health units, because of the recession. The cuts can translate into longer wait times and older technology, which are certain to affect patients. The reductions also present a greater risk of hospital acquired infections because of cuts to prevention budgets. (Forbes, 6/24/09)
Latest Research
Irritability Should Be Considered When Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children: A new study from Bradley Hospital and Brown University indicates that clinicians should consider irritability as a symptom when diagnosing pediatric bipolar disorder in children. The report, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, says a small percentage of children with bipolar disorder experience manic episodes without extreme and are diagnosed based on irritable mood alone. Approximately 10 percent of children fell into the irritable-only category, while elated-only constituted about 15 percent. Nearly three-quarters experienced both elation and irritability. (Science Daily, 6/25/09)
Schizophrenia Linked to Higher Risk of Dying From Cancer: Cancer is the second leading cause of death for people with schizophrenia, after suicide, a new French study reports. Researchers from the University of Reims in France found that people with schizophrenia die from cancer at four times the rate of the general population, making it the second leading cause of death in that group. The study, published online in Cancer, said that doctors should pay closer attention to cancer prevention and early detection in people with schizophrenia. Lung cancer was a leading killer among men, possibly due to the high rate of smoking in the group. Among women, the risk of dying from breast cancer was significantly higher than in the general population. The higher death rate might be due to several factors, including a delay in diagnosis and less compliance to treatment. (HealthDay News, 6/23/09)
Earlier Depressive Mood Linked With Preterm Birth: Both black and white women with symptoms of depression prior to becoming pregnant have increased risk for preterm birth; but black women have twice the risk as white women, said a report in the Journal of Women's Health. Over Eighteen percent of the 249 black women gave birth prior to 37 weeks gestation. This preterm birth rate was more than twice the 8.5 percent rate seen among the 306 white women with symptoms of depression. (Reuters, 6/25/09)
HEADLINES at Mental Health America
Dr. Shern Testifies before Congress on Health Reform: David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America, testified last week before the House Committee on Energy and commerce on health reform legislation. To read Dr. Shern’s testimony, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/files/testimony_shern[1].pdf.
Behavioral Healthcare Magazine Profiles Mental Health America: The cover story of the June issue of Behavioral Healthcare Magazine profiles Mental Health America’s 100th anniversary and its century of accomplishments.
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Legislation to extend health care coverage to currently uninsured individuals and improve the quality of care for all Americans must include the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use conditions. Mental Health America created a comprehensive fact sheet to be considered by Congress while debating any health care reform legislation. Bay Net, “Health care reform must address behavioral health,” June 25, 2009
Mental Health America says a million people nationwide suffer from a hoarding problem. In extreme cases, hoarding and cluttering may be part of more serious mental illnesses such as major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clutterers also suffer emotional symptoms such as worries, regrets, emotional fog and spiritual emptiness. Free Lance Star, “Cluttered House: Sign of a problem,” June 28, 2009
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
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- New report reveals link between states’ depression status and access to treatment
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Mental Health in the Headlines is produced weekly by Mental Health America. Mental Health America's Mental Health in the Headlines staff: Steve Vetzner, senior director, Media Relation and Sarah Jones, communications coordinator.
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