Morbidity & Mortality in People With Serious Mental Illness

People with serious mental illness die about 25 years earlier than the general United States population. About 60% of premature deaths in people with schizophrenia are due to medical conditions related to cardiovascular or respiratory system problems and infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS).

This report was authored by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Medical Directors Council. The authors and NASMHPD recommended that to reduce the higher death and illness rate the problem must be approached at four levels: national, state, provider agencies and clinicians, and the individuals receiving services. The recommendations include the following broad steps: the public health implications must become a national priority and people with serious mental illnesses should be designated and tracked as an at-risk health disparities population. Further, states should implement Medicaid policies to ensure that this at-risk group receives established standards of care for prevention, screening, assessment, and medical treatment.