Articles tagged with Mental Health
A survey of 2,000 US and UK HR professionals found that organizations have made progress in accommodating employees with disabilities. Training and flexible policies are common, but challenges remain, including negative attitudes and inadequate record-keeping.
A new stepped-care intervention program called Collaborative Care has shown significant improvement in treating severely depressed patients, with a recovery rate of 40% compared to 23% for those receiving usual primary care. The program reduced costs per case successfully treated, offering good news for patients and healthcare systems.
A nationwide study found that 87% of high school counselors believe it's their job to recognize teens at risk for suicide, but only 38% feel they can identify warning signs. The study recommends more thorough training and crisis-intervention teams.
The Ethel F. Donaghue Women's Health Investigator Program at Yale has awarded six faculty members grants to study novel approaches in women's health. Researchers will investigate gene therapy for ovarian cancer, dietary protein prevention of osteoporosis, and light therapy for depression during pregnancy.
A University of Toronto study found that teenagers who engage in binge eating are more likely to experience poor mental health and substance abuse, with purging behaviors increasing the risk of drug use. The research highlights the need for school-based programs targeting both eating disorders and substance use issues.
A study found that adolescents emulate their parents' overall health-risk lifestyle and adopt specific behaviors. Parents' health-risk behaviors are linked to their children's adoption of similar habits.
Research finds that mothers with unwanted births experience depression, unhappiness, and lower quality relationships with their children. These effects persist throughout the children's lives, impacting all family members.
A new study finds that depressed workers can be a significant drain on employers' resources, with worker absenteeism resulting in $17 billion a year in costs. Implementing mental health benefits and encouraging treatment could lead to a substantial increase in productivity and cost savings.
A new study led by Dr. Don Redelmeier found that people overestimate the speed of vehicles in the next lane, leading to unnecessary lane changes. Staying in one's lane is safer and achieves similar travel times as more aggressive driving.
The UCSF Center for Health and Community will conduct four studies over five years, examining couples' decisions on assisted reproductive technologies, psychological effects, economic costs, and medical outcomes. The research aims to inform patients, physicians, and policymakers about infertility treatment options.
Actuaries forecast a low probability of a national health plan being implemented by 2010 and 2050. The US suicide rate is expected to rise, with Americans born in 1997 predicted to live beyond age 80 by 2050.
The study found that African-American and white patients rated their same-race physician visits as more participatory, while patients of female physicians also reported higher levels of involvement. Better health outcomes can be achieved through increased minority physicians and cross-cultural communication training.
A study from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma found that 25.5% of Bosnian adults who fled the war were functionally disabled due to psychiatric disorders, with those experiencing PTSD and depression being five times more likely to report a disability.
A UCSF report identifies three contributing factors to the problems facing allied and auxiliary workforce: market survival, flexible team members, and educators' skills preparation. The report recommends partnerships among health delivery organizations, workers, and educators to forge new approaches.
A study of 1,504 pairs of parents and children found that enjoyment of physical education classes and family support were key factors in influencing levels of physical activity. The research highlights the need for schools to develop programs that maintain high participation and enjoyment throughout the school career.
A new study suggests that hope plays a vital role in maintaining the health of HIV-positive men who have lost a loved one to AIDS. The researchers found that optimistic expectations and feelings of control over the disease are associated with a slower rate of progression of HIV-related illness.
A new study found that support groups for substance abuse significantly improve active coping responses, friendship quality, and social networks. Individuals who participate in these groups are less likely to use drugs and alcohol after treatment and report better stress management.
A new study reveals that gastric bypass surgery significantly improves health perception outcomes in severely obese patients, surpassing non-obese control groups in four categories. Patients report improved social functioning, emotional well-being, pain relief, and vitality after weight loss.
The Navajo Faith Healing Project examines traditional religious healing practices among the Navajo people, combining ceremonies, chants, and peyote rituals to treat physical and mental ailments. The study reveals a holistic approach to healthcare, integrating faith healing with Western medicine in some cases.
The University of California, San Francisco's HIV/AIDS website, HIV InSite, was recognized as one of the most comprehensive AIDS-related information resources in the world. The site, established two years ago, has garnered over 14 million hits from an international audience and is noted for its unbiased coverage of HIV/AIDS topics.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that writing about stressful experiences improved symptoms for nearly half of patients with asthma and arthritis. After four months, the patients who wrote down their feelings showed significant clinical improvement compared to those who wrote about their daily ...
A recent survey by Cornell University's Program on Employment and Disability found that companies' health, life, and disability insurance costs rarely rise due to hiring employees with disabilities. However, attitudinal stereotypes about people with disabilities persist in the workplace, leading to fewer job offers and firings. Many HR...
Researchers found that employed husbands and wives should each do less than half of the household chores to keep their personal distress levels at a minimum. A more equitable division of household work could reduce women's distress without increasing men's distress levels.
A team of scientists from Columbia University warns against incorporating spiritual interventions into medical practice due to methodological flaws in studies. Despite acknowledging comfort provided by religious activities, they argue that these should not be promoted as a means to improve health.
A transitional care model improved the health of hospitalized elderly patients with common medical and surgical problems, reducing hospital readmissions and post-discharge health service costs. The study found that only 20% of intervention group patients were rehospitalized compared to 37% of controls.
A German study suggests that people complaining of health problems related to dental amalgam fillings may be using it as a scapegoat for underlying psychological issues. The researchers found low levels of mercury in the saliva, blood, and urine of participants, contradicting concerns about the alloy's safety.
A new heat-health watch/warning system will be installed in Rome by summer 2000, giving health officials up to 60 hours' notice of deadly weather. The system has already protected people from killer heat in Philadelphia and Washington D.C., and may be launched in Shanghai and other cities if effective.
Researchers found that elevated blood pressure is a strong predictor of changes in brain structure and related cognitive functioning. All participants showed declines in mental abilities over time, with higher blood pressures associated with greater declines, particularly for visual-spatial ability and speed of performance.
According to the study, American children now spend less than an hour per week reading and almost no time engaging in unstructured outdoor play. Meanwhile, TV viewing has become a significant part of their daily routine, with nearly a quarter of their free time spent watching television.
Research suggests high levels of religious involvement are associated with better health status, likely due to behaviors such as increased social support, positive self-image, and healthy lifestyle choices. Regular church attendance also contributes to better mammography screening status.
David J. Kupfer, a renowned psychiatrist, received the Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health for his groundbreaking research on mental health treatment. His work has improved understanding of recurrent mood disorders, depression, and the relationship between biological rhythms, sleep, and depression.
Research finds that women experiencing hostility, anxiety and self-consciousness have thicker carotid arteries, an early marker for cardiovascular disease. Holding in anger or suppressing negative emotions may be key determinants of women's cardiovascular health.
A study of over 1,200 elderly adults found that higher levels of education were associated with healthier behaviors, biological conditions, and psychological factors. These findings suggest that social disparities may continue to affect health outcomes in late life, even among those who are functioning well cognitively.
A national survey of primary care doctors found that one in three doctors recommend herbal supplements for emotional balance and fatigue. The most commonly used herbs are St. John's Wort and ginkgo biloba, with 27% and 18% of doctors recommending them respectively.
Researchers have identified hyperforin as the primary active ingredient in St. John's Wort, leading to significant improvements in mood and cognitive function. Studies have shown that high concentrations of hyperforin produce greater brain wave activity and enhanced neurotransmitter release.
A study found that depressed women who experienced physical abuse were less likely to receive mental health care compared to those who had not been abused. Nearly all abused women sought recent medical help, highlighting the need for effective screening for domestic violence.
A new study finds that workers who have strong support from co-workers and family members are more likely to change their diet. Health promotion programs should target all family members, not just high-risk individuals, to build on foundation of family support.
Researchers will evaluate traumatic brain injury treatment at OHSU and Legacy Health System's hospitals, rehabilitation services, and outpatient care. The study aims to better understand long-term outcomes for patients with brain injuries.
A Penn State study reveals single mothers on welfare are more likely to have psychiatric disorders, highlighting the need for mental health services in welfare reform programs. The research found that major depression and agoraphobia were prevalent among welfare recipients.
A new study by Dawn Stauffer and Rukmalie Jayakody found that 23% of welfare recipients had major depression, anxiety disorders, or other mental health problems. This rate is significantly higher than previously estimated, highlighting the need for comprehensive mental health services in welfare reform.
The website provides a comprehensive educational program on genetics, genetic testing, diagnosis, counseling, and cancer risk assessment. It features three levels of education for different audiences and includes case scenarios, problem sets, and moderated discussion groups.
A recent study found that chronically ill children are more likely to experience poor adjustment, including hostility or withdrawal, regardless of the illness type. The researchers controlled for social and economic factors but still observed a significant difference between chronically ill and healthy children.
Adolescents born to US-born parents show poorer health and riskier behavior compared to foreign-born youth. Foreign-born teens have better physical health and are less likely to engage in delinquent or violent acts.
Seven mid-career health professionals from various institutions have been selected as Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellows. They will work in congressional and executive branch offices to enrich their knowledge of public policy and foster a better understanding of government health activities.
A major HIV prevention trial involving low-income women and men living in urban areas found that behavioral interventions can reduce HIV-related sexual risk. The study, which recruited 3,700 participants, showed significant improvements in condom use and reductions in unprotected sexual acts after a one-year intervention.
The forum emphasized the importance of expanded Medicare coverage for prevention programs and wellness promotion to reduce healthcare costs. Experts called for incentives, such as reduced premiums, for individuals who undertake health lifestyle behaviors.
A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that imbalance between work rewards and effort, as well as negative social interactions, are linked to poorer health in both men and women. Effort-reward imbalance was a key predictor of poor health in women, while low emotional support from close persons was a predictor for men.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that older patients with high levels of intrinsic religiosity recovered faster from depression than those with low levels. The study, led by Dr. Harold Koenig, discovered a significant correlation between higher religiosity and faster recovery times.
A UCSF study reveals that low-income children are at a greater risk of experiencing disability, with 4.4 million US children affected. The study found that poor families, older children, and single-parent households were more likely to have children with disabilities.
A Brown University study found that a personalized approach can increase breast cancer screening rates among women. Women who received tailored information were 10% more likely to get a repeat mammogram than those who received generic advice or no intervention.
Researchers developed a new approach to assess social determinants of health by examining issues like employment, housing, and education through the eyes of community residents. This approach gives a voice to those who are normally not heard, forcing experts to listen to their perspectives on quality of life.
A study of physically impaired older Americans found that 50% reported receiving unnecessary help, while 28% felt they needed more support. Negative reactions to care significantly predicted depression, highlighting the need for interventions improving caregiving exchanges and quality of life.
A study found that only 44% of depressed heart failure patients aged 60+ received treatment for depression. Social support was the only factor predicting faster time to remission.
Dr. Arthur L. Caplan argues that human cloning poses significant moral and ethical dilemmas, including the safety of the procedure, social implications, and emotional toll on clones. Despite advancements in technology, Caplan emphasizes the need to address these issues before pursuing human cloning.
A study of 574 Americans and 250 Canadians found that only a small fraction received appropriate depression treatment, with more Canadians receiving mental health services due to comprehensive national coverage. Patient attitudes, such as perception of need for help and fear of cost, also played a significant role in the disparity.
Researchers found that patients with bereavement-related depression had decreased natural killer cell counts after disrupted sleep. The study provides direct evidence of the stress-immune relationship and highlights the importance of good sleep for maintaining health in the elderly.
Chronic illnesses account for three quarters of healthcare costs. The article proposes a team-based approach to care, prioritizing collaboration between patients, physicians, and their families. This approach aims to enhance self-care and medical care by targeting specific problems and providing personalized support.
Researchers at Penn State will investigate individual variation in health among African American twin pairs aged 65, exploring the role of genetics and environment. The five-year study aims to gain insight into aging in this population, which has experienced different environmental influences than other groups.
A 12-year study found that attending religious services was associated with healthier behaviors, stronger social ties, and improved emotional well-being in elderly individuals. The study revealed that religious attendance acted as a linchpin for overall health practices, friendships, and leisure activities.
A study found that seniors with depression in HMOs receive fewer mental health specialist visits and are prescribed benzodiazepines instead of newer antidepressants. This disparity may be due to cost-containment strategies, highlighting the need for better care for vulnerable elderly patients.