Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of December 8, 2008
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?
Adults who are in their 70s and have depression are more likely than other older adults who aren’t depressed to develop a dangerous type of body fat...more
*TODAY´S NEWS
Obama Team Seeks Public’s Input On Healthcare Reform
Former Sen. Tom Daschle, who may be nominated as President-elect Obama’s Health and Human Services Secretary, invited people last week to hold what essentially amounts to house parties between Dec. 15 and Dec. 31 to discuss the nation’s healthcare problems and to develop solutions. Obama’s transition team will accept suggestions through the transition website (change.gov), share them on the site and use them as a basis for the Obama administration’s healthcare plans next year. Daschle advocated last year that whoever won last month’s presidential election has to act fast in developing an overhaul of the nation’s healthcare system. (Los Angeles Times/The Associated Press, 12/6/08)
Workers Struggle To Pay Health Bills When Companies Close
Many Americans have lost their health insurance coverage—and have racked up large medical bills as a result—as thousands of companies filed for bankruptcy in the first half of their year. Employees of companies that are undergoing bankruptcy reorganization have generally been able to keep their coverage, but many of companies are simply closing down. Employees of liquidating companies aren’t eligible for COBRA, which gives certain laid-off workers the ability to temporarily continue coverage at group rates, because their companies no longer provide coverage to anyone. Instead, many go without coverage at all or seek out government health programs. (WSJ.com, 12/6/08)
Mississippi’s Mental Health Department To Bear Brunt Of State Job Freezes
Mississippi’s state Department of Mental Health will bear the brunt of job freezes under a series of proposals made by a bipartisan group of legislators to help shore up the state’s budget next year. The department has about 1,500 open positions that would not be filled. (Clarion Ledger, 12/3/08)
Louisiana Ranked As Unhealthiest State, Vermont First
Louisiana was ranked the unhealthiest state in the nation while Vermont was ranked the healthiest in the United Health Foundation’s 19th annual state rankings released last week. The foundation releases the survey with the American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention. The rankings are based on a variety of factors, including rates of binge drinking, smoking, cancer and heart disease, as well as the percentage of state residents who have health insurance coverage. (Reuters, 12/4/08)
Universities
A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry indicates that although one in five college students have personality disorders that affect their daily lives, less than 25 percent of these students actually seek treatment. Despite this finding and because college students are usually adults, federal law prevents students’ parents from getting access to their academic and school-health records. Students can, however, sign a waiver to give their parents the ability to see their children’s records, and many schools have formalized the waiver process by providing information in school admission packets. (WSJ.com, 12/2/08)
Latest Research
Depression Can Increase Fat In Older Adults: Adults who are in their 70s and have depression are more likely than other older adults who aren’t depressed to develop a dangerous type of body fat, researchers report in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The gain of this type of fat, known as visceral fat, is found around internal organs and can lead to diabetes and heart disease. The researchers believe that depression can lead to elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn produces the fat. (WSJ.com, 12/1/08)
Kids With High Media Exposure At Risk For Poor Health Outcomes: Researchers report that they have found in a review of studies dating back to 1980 a strong correlation between the amount of time children spend watching television and exposure to other media and poor health outcomes. These outcomes include obesity, smoking, drug and alcohol use, and early sexual activity. (Reuters, 12/2/08)
Women Who Drink Excessively At Risk For Strokes: Women who drink more than two alcoholic drinks each day may be placing themselves at risk for have strokes, researchers report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That level of regular alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a condition when the heart beats irregularly, which promotes clotting that can lead to strokes. Past research shows a similar effect in men who drink three or more alcoholic beverages each day. (Reuters, 12/2/08)
Binge Drinking Linked To Increased Stroke Risk: Researchers report in the journal Stroke report that people who occasionally binge drink, even if they don’t drink too much normally, have a 39 percent increased chance of having any type of stroke within a decade. For men examined in the study, binge drinking was defined as having six or more drinks at one sitting; for women, it was defined as having four or more drinks. (Reuters, 12/3/08)
No Link Between Receiving Abortion and Mental Health Problems: A review of all English-language, peer-reviewed studies examining the relationship between abortion and long-term mental health shows no linkage between having an abortion and developing depression or other psychological distress, researchers report in the journal Contraception. (Reuters, 12/4/08)
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
According to Mental Heath America, a recent survey of people with schizophrenia revealed that they rarely discussed physical health with their psychiatrists. Time.com, “Why Do the Mentally Ill Die Young?” December 8, 2008
Mental Health America reports in a Gannett News Service piece that about 25 percent of populations that suffer drastic seasonal lighting changes experience some kind of winter blues—and 5 percent of those develop serious SADness requiring medication and even hospitalization. Christianity Today.com, “Dealing with Depression,” December 3, 2008
Mental Health America reports that occasional gentle spankings from parents do not harm a child's social or emotional development. Intense repetitive spankings, however, can lead to depression and anger and may lead to aggressive behavior in children, the association said. Arizona Republic, “Line Between Spanking and Abuse Often Vague,” December 2, 2008
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
- View highlights of Mental Health America’s 2008 Annual Conference featuring the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit
- Save the Date: Mental Health America's Centennial Conference - June 10-13, 2009, Washington, D.C.
- Mental Health America’s 2008 Media Awards honor excellence in reporting of mental health issues
- Survey reveals obstacles to health care for people who have schizophrenia
- New report reveals link between states’ depression status and access to treatment
- Donate to our Resource Center and help save lives
- Share your story on realLIVES
- Join Mental Health America’s Advocacy Network
- Check out previous issues of Mental Health in the Headlines
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 Relations; Sarah Jones, communications coordinator; and Hazel Moran, senior director, Healthcare Reform.
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