Mental Health in the Headlines: Week of January 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?
More than 1 in every 10 U.S. adults experienced serious psychological distress in the past year...more
*TODAY´S NEWS
House To Vote On Children’s Health Program
The U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote this week to continue funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The program provides coverage for children of families who are not eligible for Medicaid but can’t afford health insurance. The legislation will likely increase by five million the number of children who are eligible to receive assistance under the program. Congress twice voted in 2007 to expand SCHIP, only to have the legislation vetoed by President Bush. But with President-elect Obama supporting the expansion, it is destined to become law. Lawmakers said the program is even more important now because of economic problems so many people are facing. (The New York Times, 01/12/09)
Calls to Suicide Hotlines Rise
Many mental health crisis and suicide hotlines are reporting a surge in calls from Americans feeling despair over financial losses. There isn’t a clear link between suicides and economic downturns, says Lanny Berman, executive director of the Washington-based American Association of Suicidology. Additionally, suicides didn’t increase in previous recessions, which lasted an average of 10 months, according to the Suicidology group's website. (USA Today, 01/11/2009)
Daschle Says Mental Health Deserves Priority; Focuses on Wellness and Prevention
During his confirmation hearing, Health and Human Services nominee Senator Tom Daschle said mental health is overlooked and not given the attention it deserves. He added that the passage of mental health parity legislation is helping to raise its importance. Daschle also reiterated his commitment to investing in wellness and prevention. (The Washington Post, The New York Times, 01/09/09)
Analysis Find Healthcare Reform Doesn’t Carry Hefty Price Tag
An analysis of proposals to overhaul U.S. health care by President-elect Barack Obama and members of Congress suggests it is possible to insure all Americans without significantly raising total health spending. The report, prepared by the Commonwealth Fund, suggests plans outlined by Obama and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus could cover almost all Americans. But it would have to require all Americans to obtain coverage and include efforts to cut administrative costs and boost purchasing efficiencies. (Reuters, 01/09/09)
New York To Combine Treatment of Addiction, Mental Illness
The state of New York will start a new program to help patients get help for both drug and mental health problems at the same time and in the same office. The New York State Health Foundation is providing a $3.2 million grant over four years to establish a statewide Center of Excellence for the Integration of Care, which will train workers in the state's 1,223 licensed mental health and substance abuse clinics to identify and treat patients with both types of conditions. Just 10 percent of 1.4 million New Yorkers who experience both a mental illness and substance abuse receive treatment for both, while 50 percent get no care at all, according to the foundation. (Newsday, 01/11/09)
TV’s Sanjay Gupta Reportedly Picked for Surgeon General
Dr. Sanja Gupta, a neurosurgeon and chief medical correspondent for CNN, is reported to be President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for Surgeon General. In addition to his role overseeing the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, Gupta has also been offered a post in the new White House Office of Health Reform. Gupta’s broadcast skills are considered an asset in restoring stature to the job and helping to communicate the health reform goals of the new administration. Some question whether he has sufficient background in public health to hold the position. (The Washington Post, 01/07/09)
Purple Heart Won’t Be Awarded for PTSD
The Pentagon has decided U.S. military personnel who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) aren’t eligible to receive the Purple Heart, although it left open the possibility it could revisit the issue. Officials stated that PTSD is not a wound intentionally caused by the enemy. The decision was reached in November but wasn’t made public until last week. It followed months of evaluation by military and other officials after Defense Secretary Robert Gates was asked about it at a press conference in May. (Stars and Stripes, 01/06/09)
Congress Plans Early Action on Tobacco
It is likely the new Congress will move quickly to regulate tobacco and give the Food and Drug Administration broad authority over cigarettes for the first time. Democratic leaders have also said they hope to pass legislation to raise federal cigarette taxes by 61 cents, to $1 a pack. The projected $35 billion in new tax revenue over five years would help finance the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. The measures are ones President-elect Obama supported as a senator, although he has not yet made any public decisions about the actions. (The New York Times, 01/06/09)
Health Care Spending in Stimulus Could Reach $100 Billion
An economic stimulus plan now being crafted by congressional leaders and the incoming Obama administration could include $100 billion in spending for health care. The majority of the money—about $80 billion—would go to state Medicaid programs and help prevent cuts that would make it harder for people to qualify for coverage. In addition to providing coverage for jobless workers, funds would also go to modernize health care technology and improve the quality of patient care with special assistance for those who treat low-income patients. Lawmakers are also likely to fund prevention programs, medical research, and community health centers. (Politico, 01/06/09)
Medical Care for Children 10 to 19 Lacking
Children between the ages 10 and 19 do not receive adequate medical care, according to a report by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine. The report found that the system of care for adolescents lacks coordination and proper design, as few physicians specialize in care for teens or provide comprehensive care that they trust. Improvements in the health of adolescents remain limited. Physical activity among adolescents has decreased in the past 10 years, and rates of chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes have increased, the report found. The report also found that, although between 10 percent and 20 percent of adolescents annually experience a mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression, their access to specialized mental health care has decreased in the past 10 years. (Associated Press, 01/06/09)
Latest Research
More Than 10 Percent of Adults Experienced Serious Psychological Distress in 2008: A federal government report finds that more than 1 in every 10 U.S. adults experienced serious psychological distress in the past year. The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said that only a half of the 24.3 million people who experienced these problems received any kind of mental health services. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 were more likely to experience these problems, but they were far less likely to receive mental health services than their older counterparts. Eric Broderick, SAMHSA acting administrator, said "As we focus on advancing and protecting the nation's health we must ensure mental health services are part of the solution." (United Press International, 01/07/09)
Behavioral Problems in Teenagers Likely to Occur in Adulthood: People who displayed behavioral problems as teenagers were likely to develop mental or personal problems in adulthood, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal. The study looked at more than 3,500 people, beginning in the teen years and following them for 40 years, and led experts to call for greater investments for intervention programs. The authors found that even adolescents with milder behavioral problems had poor outcomes in adulthood. (CNN, 01/09/09)
More Americans Burdened by Chronic Illnesses: More Americans have chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which causes a big increase in out-of-pocket medical costs, researchers report in the journal Health Affairs. Overall, chronic disease accounts for three-fourths of the more than $2 trillion spent on health care yearly in the United States. Based on government survey data, 44 percent of Americans in 2005 had at least one chronic medical condition, which could include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, cancer, arthritis, heart failure and others. That compares to 41 percent in 1996. The percentage of Americans with three or more chronic illnesses rose even more sharply. Possible factors for the rise are that obesity and sedentary lifestyle have grown more common. (Reuters, 01/07/09)
Veterans with PTSD More Likely to Have Medical Disorders: Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are more likely to have medical problems than other veterans, government researchers have found. The findings, which were reported in the journal BMC Medicine, indicate a strong relationship between metabolic syndrome and PTSD. Metabolic syndrome involves a combination of disorders, including obesity, high blood pressure and insulin resistance that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. (United Press International, 01/07/09)
Diabetes Slows Mental Functions: People who develop diabetes as adults may experience a slowdown in mental abilities as early as their 50s, a new study of the increasingly prevalent disease found. Patients with adult-onset diabetes performed worse than healthy people on two parts of a battery of cognitive tests, according to the study, published in the journal Neuropsychology. The results suggest that people with the disease should have their cognitive functioning monitored closely so that they can undergo mental training if needed, said Roger Dixon, a psychologist at the University of Alberta in Canada and the lead author of the study. (Bloomberg, 01/05/09)
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
The passage of federal mental health parity legislation recognizes that behavioral health services are good for businesses and their employees’ health, writes David Shern, president and CEO of Mental Health America, in a guest column. Modern Healthcare, “Parity pays dividends,” January 12, 2009
According to a 2007 study by Mental Health America, more than 13 percent of adult Oklahomans suffer from severe psychological distress, and almost 8 percent of adults have suffered from depression. Oklahoma Gazette, “Oklahoma Ranks Top-10 for Obesity, Diabetes, High Blood-Pressure, Depression”, January 7, 2009
Research conducted by Mental Health America that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is caused by less exposure to sunlight during shorter winter days, can compound holiday stress. Quality Health, “4 Biggest Holiday Health Myths—Exposed,” January 6, 2009
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
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- Survey reveals obstacles to health care for people who have schizophrenia
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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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