Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task
Published on: January 9, 2016
Delays in Seeking General Medical Services and Measurable Abnormalities Among Individuals With Serious Mental Illness
Stanislav Spivak1, Bernadette A Cullen1, William Eaton1
1Dr. Spivak, Dr. Cullen, and Dr. Mojtabai are with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore. Dr. Cullen and Dr. Mojtabai are also with the Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, where Dr. Eaton and Ms. Rodriguez are affiliated. Dr. Nugent is with the Center for Military Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Objective:
The study explored the association of delays in seeking general medical care with elevated blood pressure and metabolic abnormalities among individuals with serious mental illness.
Methods:
Association of delays in medical care with blood pressure, serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), and lipids was assessed among patients at two inner-city community mental health centers.
Results:
Of 271 participants, 62% reported delays in seeking general medical care due to attitudinal and financial barriers. Care delay was associated with abnormalities in measured blood pressure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.14, p=.029) and HbA1c (AOR=3.18, p=.026). Care delay was not associated with abnormalities in lipid profiles.
Conclusions:
This study found that delays in seeking general medical care are common and are associated with clinical markers linked with common medical conditions. The results may help to explain the elevated morbidity and mortality associated with serious mental illness.
Related Concept Videos
Classification of Illness
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe...
Abnormal Proliferation
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
Concepts of Health and Illness
Dimensions of Health and Illness
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...

