The Case for Severe Mental Illness as a Disparities Category

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) experience disproportionately higher rates of morbidity and mortality.
• Healthcare for SMI populations is often of lower quality and higher cost compared to the general population.
• Discrimination, stigma, exclusion, and criminalization contribute significantly to these health disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the formal, national recognition of severe mental illness as a distinct health disparities category.
• To highlight the policy, research, and advocacy implications of such a designation.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review and synthesis of existing evidence on health disparities in severe mental illness.
• Analysis of trends in morbidity, mortality, healthcare quality, and cost for SMI populations.
• Examination of the societal factors contributing to these disparities.

Main Results:

• Evidence confirms elevated morbidity and mortality rates in individuals with SMI.
• Lower quality and higher cost healthcare are consistently observed for SMI patients.
• Societal factors like stigma and discrimination are key drivers of these negative outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Formal national recognition of severe mental illness as a disparities category is warranted.
• This designation would drive significant advancements in health policy, research, and advocacy.
• Addressing systemic discrimination and stigma is essential for improving SMI health outcomes.