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International health and psychiatry
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
Objective:
To abstract and evaluate data on psychiatric illness and health care in Canada from a recent major World Bank/World Health Organization (WHO) publication.
Method:
A review of the publication and related material provides a picture of the level of disability produced by neuropsychiatric disorders. Changing patterns of life expectancy in developing countries, and some social factors associated with prevention are extracted.
Results:
Psychiatric disorders account for 15% of disability and premature death in developed countries. A surprisingly small percentage is accounted for by psychoses, and more than expected by post-traumatic stress disorders. Violence against women is highlighted as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Objectives for health care systems - improving outcomes, reaching the disadvantaged and containing costs - are detailed.
Conclusions:
Although little formal attention is given to psychiatric disorders, there is a wealth of information about the extent of disability produced by neuropsychiatric disorders, and future directions of health care systems.