A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that LGB individuals living in states with same-sex marriage bans experienced significant increases in mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorders. The prevalence of any psychiatric disorder also increased among heterosexual respondents, ...
UCI researchers found that learning activates neuron receptors that promote brain growth and limit memory impairment associated with aging. The study suggests that staying mentally active as we age may keep neuronal BDNF signaling at a constant rate, limiting cognitive decline.
A new genetic test has been developed by CAMH scientists Dr. John Vincent and Dr. Muhammad Ayub to analyze CC2D2A gene mutations causing about 10% of intellectual disability cases. The test aims to provide more accurate diagnosis and offer appropriate genetic counseling for affected families.
A strengths-based approach to therapy can improve recovery for victims of family violence by highlighting their resilience and resourcefulness. This approach trains professionals to uncover positive skills in survivors' life stories and facilitates a collaborative process to develop solutions.
The University of Missouri is launching a health literacy study emphasis program offering the first US health literacy certificate, focusing on non-physician professionals. The program aims to address low health literacy's $106 billion annual cost by providing thorough training on issues like culture and health compliance.
A University of Missouri researcher introduces a strengths-based approach to therapy for family violence survivors, focusing on their resilience, perseverance, and coping skills. This approach helps identify survivors' abilities and promotes a collaborative process between the survivor and professional.
A Cochrane review found that flexible working arrangements with employee control can positively impact health outcomes such as blood pressure and sleep patterns. The study also highlighted the need for further research on how different types of workers experience the effects of flexible working.
A recent study by George Mason University researchers found that physicians do not provide more services to Medicare patients due to lower Medicare fees. Instead, the study reveals that profitable services are provided more often and less profitable services less often.
A study of nearly 1,900 Montreal-area high school students found that those who self-identified as GLB were at a higher risk for suicidal ideation and attempts. In contrast, teens with same-sex attractions or experiences but not identifying as GLB were not at greater risk.
A study found that three-quarters of nurses experience workplace violence, but only one in six incidents are formally reported. The majority of nurses who did report incidents said they felt it was part of their job, and senior managers often failed to take action.
A new report suggests that preventing patients from leaving psychiatric wards without staff agreement could avoid up to 50 suicide deaths every year. The study found that improving the ward environment and staff training may contribute to reduced risk of in-patient suicides, particularly among high-risk groups.
A study published in Chest found that caregivers of ICU patients experience profound emotional and economic burdens, with predictors including male patient gender and tracheostomy. The research highlights the need for interventions to support families coping with critical illness beyond hospitalization.
A new national survey of children's health reveals significant gaps in insurance coverage, with over 6.7 million uninsured kids and nearly 1/4 insured kids lacking adequate care. Obesity rates have increased, affecting 10 million youths ages 10-17.
An online intervention platform, CheckYourDrinking.net, has been shown to reduce problem alcohol use by 30% in a Canadian study. The platform provides personalized feedback and motivation tools to help users change their drinking behaviors.
Researchers found that a synergistic interaction between ?-syn and LRRK2 exacerbates neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease by disrupting intracellular transport mechanisms. Inhibition of LRRK2 expression may provide a therapeutic strategy to prevent PD-associated neuropathology.
A new study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that depressed patients struggle to sustain activity in brain areas related to positive emotion and reward. Researchers found that despite normal initial levels of activity, depression impairs ability to maintain them over time.
A study from Université de Montréal and Douglas Mental Health University Institute found that 10-15% of women experience maladaptive eating behaviors, which can lead to binge eating, bulimia, and excessive exercise. The study also revealed a link between problematic eating habits and self-rated health.
The study collected data from 3,005 older adults across the US, finding that men tend to have more positive attitudes towards sex and are more likely to be sexually active. The research also highlights the importance of promoting positive social relationships in older age.
A new study found that 25% of Arab Americans in Greater Detroit experienced abuse due to race or religion since 9/11, leading to increased psychological distress and poorer perceptions of health. The study highlights the need for partnerships with community organizations to encourage mental health services among this population.
Researchers have identified the TRAPPC9 gene as a potential cause of non-syndromic intellectual disabilities affecting up to 50% of individuals worldwide. The discovery sheds light on a new genetic factor in intellectual disabilities and paves the way for future research into diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
A study of over 1,000 physicians found widespread support for electronic health information exchange (HIE), with most believing it would improve quality of care and cut costs. However, many expressed concern about potential privacy breaches and were unwilling to pay monthly fees. Another study reported by JAMIA found that mental health...
Researchers found that students who witness bullying are more likely to experience psychological distress than those who are bullies or victims. The study also suggested that witnessing bullying can lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety in bystanders.
Renowned psychopharmacology expert Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD, highlights low confidence in army mental health care, excessive opiate prescribing, and understaffing of services at Ft. Hood. He proposes redeploying primary-care providers and nurse case managers to centralize mental health care delivery.
Research from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study found that childhood abuse, neglect, social isolation or economic hardship can affect nervous, immune and endocrine functioning in adulthood. Adults who experienced these traumas were more likely to exhibit depression, chronic inflammation and metabolic markers of...
The Ohio Research Association for Public Health Improvement (RAPHI) aims to investigate how public health does what it does, with an initial focus on improving services using information technology. The RAPHI project will advance RWJF's efforts to enhance the evidence base for public health policy and practice.
A study found that Brief Motivational Interviewing (BMI) was more effective in reducing risky drinking among drivers with alcohol problems. The intervention led to significant declines in risky drinking and longer-lasting reductions compared to a control intervention.
Research suggests that young people's feelings of ethnic pride rise during the 7th-8th grade years, improving their mental health regardless of self-esteem levels. A sense of pride in one's ethnic group serves as a buffer against certain mental health problems, especially for boys.
Research shows that patients with chronic illnesses who lose hope for a cure experience better quality of life than those holding onto hope. Without hope, patients adapt to their condition and focus on living in the present.
The BRC's Case Register Interactive Search (CRIS) system, a groundbreaking research tool, will be expanded with the new funding. CRIS allows researchers to search and analyze electronic medical records in an anonymized format, facilitating personalized diagnosis and treatment for mental health patients.
Research suggests a link between low maternal folate levels and attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems in children aged seven to nine. Children born to mothers with low folate status had smaller head circumferences at birth, indicating slower prenatal brain growth.
A recent study in China found that people with higher levels of pesticide exposure are more likely to have suicidal thoughts. The study suggests a potential causal link between pesticide exposure and increased risk of suicidal ideation in rural areas.
A UCLA study found that HIV stigma is a strong predictor of poor access to medical care and suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Individuals experiencing high levels of internalized stigma were more likely to report poor access to care and lower medication adherence.
The center will investigate the link between schizophrenia and dysfunctional brain N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA). Researchers aim to identify pre-symptomatic individuals in adolescence to intervene before disease effects take hold. The grant also supports a summer undergraduate research program.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati College of Law has shown that a group of psychiatrists who evaluated mental competence from case files performed at a strikingly high level of accuracy. In an average of 29 out of every 30 cases, the psychiatrists could distinguish competent defendants from incompetent defendants.
Hugh 'Trey' Daly III, a senior attorney at IQ Solutions, Inc., has worked tirelessly to ensure thousands of low-income and sick people in southwest Ohio have access to health care services. His efforts have prompted local hospitals to end abusive medical debt collection practices.
Lynne Holden, a NYC ER doctor, is honored for her work in creating a more diverse health care workforce. Her organization Mentoring in Medicine has inspired nearly 6,000 students to pursue careers in healthcare.
Dr. Uwe Jacobs, a clinical director at Survivors International in San Francisco, has been recognized for his work with torture victims from around the world. His program has demonstrated that survivors of gender-based violence have comparable levels of trauma to those of torture victims.
David Carey, a quadriplegic, received the RWJF Community Health Leaders Award for his advocacy work and establishment of Inspire Co-op, which helps people with disabilities lead independent lives. He also successfully worked with the city of Tempe to ensure safe public transportation options for persons with physical disabilities.
Sonith Peou, program director of the Metta Health Center in Lowell, Mass., is one of 10 Americans chosen to receive the RWJF Community Health Leaders Award for his work on culturally competent health care services. He has helped thousands of Cambodians, Laotians, and Vietnamese access quality healthcare.
Frances Stout, a retired registered nurse, received the 2009 Community Health Leaders Award for establishing the first skilled nursing facility for elderly Native Americans. Her work also led to the creation of an elder care consortium addressing issues like transportation and housing.
Claudia Stravato, a Texas women's health activist, is one of 10 Americans chosen to receive the 2009 Community Health Leaders Award. She will be honored for her work in providing access to primary care for low-income and uninsured families.
Satira Streeter, a D.C. psychologist, received the Community Health Leaders Award for delivering culturally relevant mental health services to Anacostia's economically challenged communities. She founded Ascensions Community Services to provide free comprehensive services to disadvantaged children and families.
Dr. Ashley, director of the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Dental Clinic, was recognized for her work to improve oral health through training programs and onsite dental care at local schools. Her efforts have transformed the oral health of an entire community, reducing tooth extractions among children.
A randomized trial found that organized phone therapy for depression significantly improved symptoms, leading to a gain of 46 depression-free days over two years. The treatment was cost-effective, with only a $397 increase in outpatient health care costs, compared to $676 for phone care management alone.
A new series explores how to treat six major MNS disorders in settings where specialists are scarce. The series recommends 'packages of care' combining medication and psychosocial treatments for best outcomes, with non-specialist health workers playing a key role.
Researchers found that male juvenile delinquents often misinterpret facial expressions of disgust as anger, leading to a more intense emotional response and aggressive behavior. This bias towards misrecognizing others' emotions could result in delinquents perceiving situations as hostile.
The Medical College of Wisconsin's Center for AIDS Intervention Research received a five-year, $11.16 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue its HIV prevention research. The center will focus on high-risk population segments in the US and expand international HIV prevention programs.
A longitudinal study of over 1,000 New Zealanders from birth to age 32 found that people underreport mental illness, and the actual rate of anxiety, depression, and substance dependency may be higher. The study's findings challenge current diagnostic standards and suggest that mental illness may be more common than previously thought.
The US has reached a critical point on obesity, with 72 million adults affected. Health reform that directly addresses obesity is crucial to saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
People with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are heavy smokers, but their doctors fear asking them to quit due to concerns about worsening symptoms. However, tobacco addiction specialist Brian Hitsman says this is a myth, and treating tobacco use and dependence can improve patients' overall health.
A new study finds that abstainers are more likely to report symptoms of depression than moderate drinkers, with those labeling themselves as 'abstainers' at the highest risk. Other factors like age and social isolation may contribute to this increased risk.
A new University of Washington study reveals that US-born Asian-American women are more likely to contemplate suicide, with 15.93% experiencing suicidal thoughts in their lifetime and 6.29% attempting suicide.
Researchers at Indiana University found that stigma surrounding mental illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder remains despite increased pharmaceutical advertising. The study suggests that medicalization of these conditions has not reduced stigma, contrary to current thinking.
Research shows that temporary workers are susceptible to declining mental health due to unstable employment. Contingent workers report more symptoms of depression and psychological distress than similarly employed workers in stable positions.
The rate of antidepressant treatment increased significantly in the US between 1996 and 2005, from 5.84% to 10.12%, affecting racial and ethnic minorities at lower rates, with 18-69 year olds being most likely to use these medications
A study by the University of Manchester found that homicides committed by mentally ill individuals rose significantly between 1997 and 2005, with a notable increase in schizophrenia-related homicides. The report also shows a decrease in suicides among mental health patients and in-patients.
A study of 20,000 young drivers found that risky behaviors like speeding and text messaging while driving significantly increase the risk of crashes. Young drivers who engage in these behaviors, even with good safety knowledge, are more likely to crash.
A University of Washington study found five distinct patterns for depression symptoms in children, with some showing no or few symptoms in second grade. The researchers identify different risk factors for boys and girls, highlighting the importance of early intervention to prevent mental health concerns during adolescence.
The NIMH is launching a large-scale research project to explore the effectiveness of early and aggressive treatment in reducing symptoms of chronic schizophrenia. The Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) project aims to develop and test interventions that incorporate diverse treatment approaches and are tailored to i...
Dr. Nichols' approach combines discovery studies with functional and behavioral studies in two models to determine how mental disorders like psychosis and schizophrenia develop. He aims to identify abnormally functioning genes and proteins that may represent novel therapeutic targets for neuropsychiatric disorders.