Equally Well: Physical health
Equally Well is a group of people and organisations with the common goal of achieving physical health equity for people ...
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People accessing mental health services have more than twice the mortality rate than the general population and people with experiences labelled as psychosis have more than three times the overall risk of premature death. (Cunningham et al., 2014).
Drivers of poor physical health include exposure to known risk factors such as:
Primary and secondary care workforces (across both physical and mental health and addiction NGO and specialist services) have a fundamental role to play in improving the physical health of people. Training may be required to increase skill and confidence levels in both settings. There is support for workers in both primary and secondary healthcare settings to take on responsibility for monitoring and screening procedures related to the physical health of this population group (Ministerial Advisory Committee on Mental Health, 2011).
For people accessing mental health and addiction services, in particular those prescribed anti-psychotics and opioid substitution medication, routine screening and monitoring for health issues is essential. However, systematic reviews confirm inequities in terms of early diagnosis, use of monitoring and provision of treatment for physical health problems (Te Pou, 2017).
The New Zealand Mental Health Metabolic Working Group (2008) suggests a range of monitoring timeframes for people treated with antipsychotic medications, depending on the specific medication and the aspect of health being monitored (Te Pou, 2014).
Equally Well is a group of people and organisations with the common goal of achieving physical health equity for people ...
Read Equally Well: Physical healthTe Pou has a wide range of evidence-based resources and tools to help the mental health, addiction and disability workforces.
Learn MoreTe Pou works alongside mental health and addiction services, and disability organisations to understand their priorities and workforce challenges.
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