Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of July 20, 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?
Young people with asthma have nearly twice the incidence of depression compared to their peers without asthma...more
*HEALTH REFORM UPDATE
House, Senate Begin Moving Legislation; Financing, Cost Questions Loom
Health reform legislation started its path through Congress last week as one Senate committee approved an overhaul plan and two House panels gave their blessing to legislation crafted leaders of that body. But the plans also met resistance as Congress’ independent budget office said the proposals would fail to contain costs and could actually worsen the problem of rising medical spending, which caused some Democratic House members to threaten to delay action. In response, the White House urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi to toughen the emerging bill so it will hold down the future increases in Medicare payments to doctors, hospitals and other providers. Members of the Senate Finance Committee also failed to reach agreement on how to pay for its health care reform plan and a group of Senators urged a slower pace for legislative action. President Obama plans an aggressive push for reform and will hold a prime time news conference this week. (The Washington Post, 7/17/09)
AMA Endorses House Bill
The American Medical Association last week endorsed the House health reform plan—a surprise to some and a boost to success of an overhaul. The group’s support stems in part from the a proposed health insurance changes in Medicare including repeal of what AMA considers a flawed formula that has annually reduced Medicare reimbursements to physicians. (Associated Press, 7/16/09)
Prevention and Wellness Measures Lauded
Prevention and wellness measures included in the Senate health care reform plan are being praised as landmark steps. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said the legislation puts wellness and public health at the center of health reform and will help prevent chronic disease. The bill provides initiatives for walkable communities, healthier schools and increased access to nutritious foods. (Quad-City Times, 7/16/09)
Medical Home Program Included
The House health reform bill includes $125 million to evaluate medical homes, which aren’t covered under the current reimbursement system. In a medical home, a primary care provider coordinates care among specialists and other community resources, which can prevent redundant tests and save money. The funding will go toward evaluation of two different types of medical homes—those run by a physician and those run by community organizations. (The Wall Street Journal, 7/16/09)
*TODAY’S NEWS
Study Shows Rise In Vets With Mental Health Problems
A new study finds that more than one-third of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars received a diagnosis of a mental health problem. Vets were diagnosed most often with post-traumatic stress Disorder or depression. The study, which looked at veterans enrolled in the VA health system since 2001, also found that number of veterans diagnosed with mental health problems rose the longer they were out of service. The increase in diagnoses accelerated after the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the researchers found. Among the group of veterans who enrolled in veterans’ health services during the first three months of 2004, 14.6 percent received mental health diagnoses after one year. But after four years, the number had nearly doubled, to 27.5 percent. The new report joins a growing body of research showing that the prolonged conflicts, where many troops experience long and repeat deployments, are taking a toll. (The New York Times, 7/16/09)
Army Project To Assess Suicide and Mental Health in Military
A team of four research institutions will carry out the largest study of suicide and mental health among military personnel ever undertaken. The U.S. Army is providing $50 million for the five-year project, which will identify risk and protective factors for suicide among soldiers. It will be conducted jointly by the University of Michigan, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Harvard Medical School, and Columbia University. The suicide rate for soldiers reached record levels in 2007 and 2008. (The Ann Arbor News, 7/16/09)
Latest Research
Depression Worsens Childhood Asthma: Young people with asthma have nearly twice the incidence of depression compared to their peers without asthma, a new study reports. Researchers at the University at Buffalo found that that depressed kids with asthma exhibit a dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system along with increased airway compromise. The study, which appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, is thought to be the first to examine pathways linking emotional stress, depressive symptoms, autonomic nervous system dysregulation and airway function in childhood asthma. (Sciencedaily, 7/17/09)
Genetic, Environmental Factors Influence Adolescent Behavior Problems, Alcohol Use: Adolescent alcohol use and behavior problems are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, a new study finds. The results, which will be published in the October issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, found that socio-regional factors lessen the importance of genetic influences on early adolescent behavior problems. "While inherited factors may place an individual at increased risk, psychosocial or environmental exposures may either aggravate or protect against this risk,” said Lisa Legrand, research psychologist at the University of Minnesota. (Sciencedaily, 7/20/09)
Patients With Depression Often Have Medically Unexplained Pain: Pain symptoms that cannot be attributed, or at least not fully attributed, to an organic origin are more frequently and more severely experienced by patients with depression than by those without, new research finds. Researchers questioned 308 patients attending two practices of general practitioners. Patients were asked about their state of health and their pain symptoms, but also about their anxieties with regard to illness, how they react when ill, what social support they receive, and what psychological stress they experience. (Sciencedaily, 7/16/09)
HEADLINES at Mental Health America
Mental Health America Commends Health Reform Legislation: Mental Health America commended the inclusion of mental health and substance use coverage as part of a basic benefit package in Senate and House health reform legislation
Follow Us on Twitter: Follow Mental Health America on Twitter @MentalHealthAm.
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
During a dedication ceremony for a national memorial at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C. that will honor patients buried at state psychiatric hospitals, a marble marker was dedicated that reads, “I must fight in the open.” It was the response given by Clifford W. Beers, founder of Mental Health America, when it was suggested he start his mental health movement anonymously. The Washington Post, “Anonymous No Longer at St. Elizabeths,” July 16, 2009.
Kirsten Beronio, senior director of government affairs for Mental Health America, said a health reform bill crafted by leaders of the House aims to improve the quality of care and the way care is delivered beyond the issue of covering the uninsured. Mental Health Weekly, “MH groups continue to make the case for integrated care,” July 13, 2009
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
- 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 Relation and Sarah Jones, communications coordinator.
To subscribe to Mental Health in the Headlines, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/action/subscribe.
To find out more about the Mental Health America, including how to make a tax-deductible contribution to help support Mental Health in the Headlines and the association's other educational activities, visit http://mentalhealthamerica.net/ or call 800-969-6MHA (6642).
For comments and suggestions, send an e-mail to Mental Health America at postmaster@mentalhealthamerica.net.
