Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of January 19, 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?
Physical abuse, severe stress and other adversities that make children anxious or depressed can raise their risk of developing asthma later in life... more
*TODAY'S NEWS
Obama Pledges Health Care Changes, March Event Eyed
In his Inaugural Address, President Barack Obama pledged to "restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost." Movement on that front could come soon. The incoming administration plans quick action on the President's proposal to overhaul the healthcare system, with a major event at the White House likely in March. Members of Congress and representatives of health groups are expected to hold a working session there to launch the debate. (The Washington Post; Wall Street Journal, 01/21/09)
House Passes SCHIP, Senate To Act Soon
The U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to cover an additional 4.1 million children under the renewal of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The bill also extends coverage of SCHIP to children of documented immigrants and pregnant documented immigrants. The measure, which will cost an estimated $33 billion over the next four-and-a-half years, will be funded through a 61-cent-per-pack increase in the federal tobacco tax. With the U.S. Senate expected to vote on the measure this week, the bill could be one of the first pieces of legislation signed into law by President Obama. (The Washington Post; Washington Times, 01/19/09)
Soldier Suicides Rise
The number of suicides by Army soldiers on duty in Afghanistan set a record in 2008. However, the number of Army suicides in Iraq fell for the first time in four years. Partial-year figures show that the suicide rate in 2008 among all Army soldiers was on track to exceed 2007's rate of 18.8 per 100,000--the highest since the Army began keeping such records in 1980. In addition, more active-duty Marines completed suicide than any year since 2003, although the rate declined because the Marine Corps' size increased. (The Hartford Courant; Los Angeles Times, 01/14/09)
Stimulus May Not Be Enough To Restore States' Health Care Cuts
Funding for Medicaid and other services for the poor to be included in a stimulus package may not be enough to reverse all the cuts being made in state budgets. Although the assistance package is expected to require states to maintain some of services now slashed, officials admit it won't be enough to keep services in place. According to the Washington-based Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, at least 44 states are facing budget shortfalls over the next two years totaling more than $350 billion. (Los Angeles Times, 01/14/09)
New Budget Chief Suggests Steps To Reduce Health Costs
Peter Orzag, President Obama's budget director, told Senators at his confirmation hearing that rising health costs are the principal reason for the government's long-term budget problems. To increase efficiencies, he suggested greater use of health care information technology, research comparing the effectiveness of different treatments, and improved preventive care. But he admitted it may take years before those new investments produce significant savings. (The New York Times, 01/13/09)
Two-Thirds Of Inmates Not Receiving Treatment When Arrested
A new study suggests that under-treatment for mental health conditions contributes to crime and incarceration. The study, published online in the American Journal of Public Health, finds that two-thirds of prisoners nationwide with a mental illness were off treatment at the time of their arrest. A quarter of all inmates had a history of chronic mental illness. While only one in three were taking medications for their illness at the time of their arrest, that number jumped to nearly two-thirds during incarceration, the researchers found. "Devoting more resources to community mental health care could reduce crime rates and reduce incarceration," said study author Dr. Andrew P. Wilper, an instructor in medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. (Boston Globe, 01/15/09)
Latest Research
Stressed Children May Develop Asthma: Physical abuse, severe stress and other adversities that make children anxious or depressed can raise their risk of developing asthma later in life, a new study finds. Although it has been known that people with asthma are more likely to also experience some anxiety disorders and possibly depression, it is usually thought that these mental disorders occur as a consequence of asthma. Researchers say stress and mental illnesses are linked with changes in stress hormone pathways and immune responses, which can lead to inflammation. The findings, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, stem from information gathered from more than 18,000 adults in the Americas, Europe and Asia who were interviewed between 2001 and 2004 as part of the World Mental Health surveys. (Reuters, 01/20/09)
Common Genes Link Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia: Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia appear to share common genetic causes, a new, far-reaching Swedish study concludes. In analyzing three decades of generational information on 2 million families in Sweden, researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm found that blood relatives of people with either mental disorder had a notably higher risk of developing bipolar disorder or schizophrenia during their lives, compared to the general population. According to the study, published in The Lancet, brothers or sisters of people with these conditions were nine times more likely to have schizophrenia and had eight times the risk of developing bipolar disorder. (Reuters, 01/16/09)
Study Confirms Antipsychotics Pose Heart Risk: Patients taking the latest generation of antipsychotic drugs are twice as likely to suffer sudden cardiac failure and death as nonusers, according to a new study that found such medicines are no safer than the older ones they have largely replaced. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests doctors should take better precautions such as doing electrocardiograms to minimize the risk of heart attacks. (Wall Street Journal, 01/15/09)
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
According to a Mental Health America survey on attitudes about depression, about 63 percent of African Americans believe that depression is a personal weakness, compared to the overall survey average of 54 percent. At the same time, clinical depression affects black women at a rate that is 50 percent higher than white women, yet only 7 percent of black women receive treatment, compared to 20 percent of white women. The Skanner, "Gordly Exits Senate, Opens New Chapter: At event, retired lawmaker will discuss lifelong battle with depression," January 15, 2009.
An estimated 35 million Americans are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder. Of that group, 75 percent are women, reports Mental Health America. Major symptoms include a combination of fatigue, depression, lack of motivation and social withdrawal that mostly occur during winter months. The Times Online, "Dealing With Winter SADness," January 19, 2009.
Although Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is not recognized as an official, distinct disorder by psychiatric professionals, it affects half a million people in America every winter, according to Mental Health America. SAD, which peaks during December, January and February, is a cyclical, seasonal condition that affects people in northern climates. Courier News,"Time of Year for Feeling SAD," January 18, 2009.
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
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- 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
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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 Relations; Sarah Jones, communications coordinator; and Hazel Moran, senior director, Healthcare Reform.
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