(Mar. 28, 2018) Research Roundup is a monthly public service of the Office of Research and Public Affairs. Each edition describes a striking new data point about serious mental illness and summarizes recently published research reports or developments. This week, the blog is focused on research relevant to the Commonwealth Pennsylvania, as legislators consider a proposal to modify its commitment standards –one of the most restrictive in the country –to facilitate assisted outpatient treatment programs.
DATAPOINT of the Month
- Total economic burden of serious mental illness in Pennsylvania is estimated to be more than $5 billion per year.
According to an analysis by the Leonard D. Schaffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, the total economic burden of schizophrenia in Pennsylvania is $5.2 billion per year, while bipolar disorder is $5.4 billion. These costs include an almost $500 million per year alone to incarcerate the 13,000 individuals with serious mental illness in prisons throughout the state.
RESEARCH of the Month
- Behavioral Health Homes in Pennsylvania effective in addressing health needs
The Behavioral Health Home Plus model is a case management program for individuals with serious mental illness who have significant physical health needs that was established in Pennsylvania. A recent evaluation of the model from 11 community service providers in the state found that it is an effective best-practice model supported and implemented by an insurance payer to address health needs for people with serious mental illness. People with serious mental illness experience a significant lower life expectancy due to co-morbid physical health conditions. The success of the Behavioral Health Home Plus model in addressing individuals psychiatric and physical health needs in Pennsylvania has resulted in its wider dissemination to 23 counties and 43 community service providers throughout the state.
Schuster, J. (2018, February). "A payer-guided approach to widespread diffusion of behavioral health homes in real-world settings." Health Affairs. - County jail employees feel there are too many inmates with serious mental illness
A qualitative study of correctional staff in a Pennsylvania county jails finds staff face significant ethical challenges in regards to housing and treating individuals with serious mental illness in jails. The results of the focus groups and interviews with correctional officers, clinicians, and sergeants in the county jail support that correctional staff feel there are too many individuals with serious mental illness in jails who could benefit from comprehensive care not in a correctional setting. The authors indicate that these findings support ongoing policy reform strategies to reduce mental illness behind bars.
Segal, a. et al. (2018, March). "County jail or psychiatric hospital? Ethical challenges in correctional mental health care." Qualitative Health Research. - Smoking cessation program for Medicaid beneficiaries with mental illness
A randomized trial of smoking cessation treatments for individuals with mental illness on Medicaid found that monetary incentives with a requirement of abstaining from tobacco smoking are effective in improving outcomes for cigarette smokers. In combination with tobacco treatment programs at community mental health centers, the authors find that providing incentives to reduce tobacco intake among individuals with mental illness is a promising approach to reduce tobacco use and improve health outcomes.
Brunette, M. F. et al. (2018, March). "Randomized trial of interventions for smoking cessation among Medicaid beneficiaries with mental illness." Psychiatric Services.
Elizabeth Sinclair
Director of Research
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Research Weekly is a summary published as a public service of the Treatment Advocacy Center and does not necessarily reflect the findings or positions of the organization or its staff. Full access to research summarized may require a fee or paid subscription to the publications.
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