North Carolina Medical Journal · 2018 · 17 citations · 0 references
MedicinePsychiatryBehavioral HealthMental Health CarePrimary CareBehavioral Health IntegrationIntegrated Behavioral HealthIntegrated Behavioral Health CareMental HealthMental IllnessSevere Mental IllnessBehavioral Health Care CoordinationMental Health InequalitiesMental Health Service AccessMental Health ServicesPreventive Health Services UtilizationPrimary Care Behavioral HealthPrimary Care Mental Health IntegrationTobacco Use Patterns
Life expectancy and other outcomes for patients with serious mental illness (SMI) are unacceptably poor, largely due to a high prevalence of poorly controlled chronic diseases, high rates of tobacco use, and low rates of preventive care services. Since many of these illnesses are effectively treated in primary care settings, integrating primary care with behavioral health care is necessary to narrow health disparities for patients with SMI.