mental health in the headlines: Week of October 12, 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?
Common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, may increase a person's risk of obesity...more
*HEALTH REFORM UPDATE
Senate Finance Committee To Vote Today on Health Reform Plan
The Senate Finance Committee will vote today on health care reform legislation. The plan is the only legislation that meets President Obama's objectives of providing coverage to the uninsured and barring insurance discrimination based on sex and preexisting conditions without adding to the deficit. Negotiations are continuing on how to pay for the bill and whether to include some form of a government insurance plan. (The Washington Post, 10/13/09)
Bill Gets Positive Marks on Cost
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) gave a positive mark to the Senate Finance Committee’s health reform plan, finding that it would significantly expand coverage while reducing the federal deficit. According the non-partisan CBO, the plan would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans at a 10-year cost of $829 billion. It also found that the legislation would reduce federal deficits by $81 billion over a decade and could lead to continued reductions in federal red ink in the years beyond. But the plan still leaves about 25 million people uninsured when fully phased in, in 2019. Of those, nearly 17 million would be U.S. citizens or legal residents. Nevertheless, the positive review is expected to spur passage of the measure. (The New York Times, 10/08/09)
*TODAY’S NEWS
Survey Finds Economic Troubles Taking Toll on Americans’ Mental Health
A new national survey gives a clearer picture of the impact of the economic downturn on Americans’ mental health. Unemployed people are four times more likely to experience severe mental health issues, including depression, than people with jobs, according to the survey, which was released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America. Thirteen percent of the unemployed say they have seriously considered harming themselves, the survey showed. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/07/09)
Parity Regulations Expected Before End of Year
The Department of Health and Human Services plans by January to issue regulations implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addition Equity Act, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a letter to Sen. Al Franken (D-MN). Franken and other members of Congress have requested an update from HHS and the departments of Labor and Treasury on the status of the regulations, which were supposed to be issued by October 3. The law requires group health plans to offer the same financial and treatment limits for mental health and substance-related disorder benefits as they do for medical and surgical benefits, effective for plan years beginning after Oct. 3, 2009. For most plans, this means the effective date is January, 1, 2010. (MHH Reporting, 10/13/09)
Study Suggests Better Health Care Improves Kids’ Development
Expanding access to quality health care improves children’s test scores, a new study suggests. Three economists link improvements in test scores of black teenagers from the South in the 1980s to improved health care they received as children after Southern hospitals were integrated in the 1960s. According to the study, “improved post-neonatal health among blacks born between the early 1960s and early 1970s ... led to long-term improvements in the academic and cognitive skills of these cohorts as teenagers.” (The Wall Street Journal, 10/08/09)
Wisconsin Legislators Introduce Mental Health Parity Bill
Wisconsin lawmakers have introduced legislation to improve coverage for mental health and substance use conditions. The bill doesn’t mandate coverage, but it does require group coverage in health plans that offer it be on a par with other medical conditions. It applies to small business owners with 50 employees or fewer. A federal law covers group health plans with 51 or more workers. Advocates say the increased cost to premiums is minimal, about two dollars each month. (Wisconsin Radio Network, 10/07/09)
Latest Research
Anxiety, Depression May Increase Risk of Obesity: Common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, may increase a person's risk of obesity, researchers say. Individuals who experience repeated episodes of these conditions are particularly at risk, according to a study in the online edition of BMJ. British researchers analyzed data from four medical screenings of 4,363 British civil servants aged 35 to 55 conducted over 19 years (1985 to 2004). People with a common mental health condition at all three previous screenings were twice as likely to be obese at the final screening as those who had no mental health symptoms at the previous screenings. Those who had more incidences of a common mental health disorder had the greatest risk of weight gain and obesity, the study authors noted. (HealthDay News, 10/07/09)
Traumatic Childhood Might Take Years Off Adult Life: Stressful childhood experiences, such as verbal and physical abuse, can take years off an individual's life, a new study finds. In a survey of more than 17,000 adults, researchers found that individuals who had been exposed to six or more so-called adverse childhood experiences before the age of 18 were twice as likely to die prematurely as those who hadn't suffered those experiences. The study, which will be published in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, surveyed participants to determine if they had endured adverse experiences, including undergoing or witnessing domestic violence and living in a household with someone who has a substance use or mental health condition. On average, those reporting six or more adverse experiences died at age 60, compared with low-risk children who lived to age 79. (Sciencedaily, 10/06/09)
Internet Addiction Linked to ADHD, Depression in Teens: Teenagers with psychosocial disorders such as ADHD, depression and social phobia are more likely to be addicted to the Internet than other teens, new research suggests. A Taiwanese study said the potential exists for internet addiction to become a major public health problem. Researchers asked 2,293 seventh graders to fill out questionnaires that assessed whether they had ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), depression, social phobia or abnormal feelings of hostility. Six to 24 months later, they were asked about their Internet usage. After two years, nearly 11 percent of students were addicted to the Internet. Boys and girls who had ADHD or hostility were more likely to be addicted to the Internet than teens without those conditions. Having social phobia or depression also predicted Internet addiction in girls, though not in boys, according to the study which appears in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. (CNN, 10/05/09)
HEADLINES at Mental Health America
New National Survey on Impact of Economic Downturn on Americans’ Mental Health: The survey finds that unemployed Americans are four times more likely than those with jobs to report symptoms of severe mental illness.
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*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Unemployed Americans are four times more likely than those with jobs to report symptoms of severe mental illness, such as major depression, according to a new national survey that reveals the mental health toll of the recession. "This survey clearly shows that economic difficulties are placing the public's mental health at serious risk, and we need affirmative action to address these medical problems," said David L. Shern, president and CEO of Mental Health America. msnbc.com, “Recession Adds to Ranks of Americans With Depression,” October 8, 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
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- 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.
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