Mental Health | Healthy People 2020

Posted: Published on March 23rd, 2019

This post was added by Alex Diaz-Granados

Health Impact of Mental Health

Mental health and physical health are inextricably linked. Evidence has shown that mental health disordersmost often depressionare strongly associated with the risk, occurrence, management, progression, and outcome of serious chronic diseases and health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease,2, 3 and cancer.4, 5 This association appears to be caused by mental health disorders that precede chronic disease; chronic disease can intensify the symptoms of mental health disordersin effect creating a cycle of poor health.5 This cycle decreases a persons ability to participate in the treatment of and recovery from mental health disorders and chronic disease. Therefore, while efforts are underway to reduce the burden of death and disability caused by chronic disease in the United States, simultaneously improving mental health nationwide is critical to improving the health of all Americans.

1Reeves WC, Strine TW, Pratt LA, et al. Mental illness surveillance among adults in the United States. MMWR. 2011;60(3):132. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su6003a1.htm?s_cid=su6003a1_w

2Jonas BS, Franks P, Ingram DD. Are symptoms of anxiety and depression risk factors for hypertension? Arch Fam Med. 1997;6:4349.

3Jonas BS, Mussolino ME. Symptoms of depression as a prospective risk factor for stroke. Psychosom Med. 2000;62:463471.

4Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public Health Action Plan To Integrate Mental Health Promotion and Mental Illness Prevention with Chronic Disease Prevention, 20112015. Atlanta, GA: 2011. Available from http://www.mhrb.org/dbfiles/docs/Brochure/11_220990_Sturgis_MHMIActionPlan_FINAL-Web_tag508.pdf [PDF - 847KB]

5Chapman DP, Perry GS, Strine TW. The vital link between chronic disease and depressive disorders. Preventing Chronic Disease. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2005. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/jan/04_0066.htm

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