Riegelman and Kirkwood (2019) point out that noncommunicable diseases represent the majority of causes of death and disability in developed countries. However, for quite some time mental health conditions/disorders were not treated as major public health issues when compared with their physical/medical health counterparts (i.e. heart disease, cancer, diabetes…etc.) despite their impact on one’s overall health.
For this week’s discussion board:
Discuss a mental health condition (i.e. major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, alcohol use disorder..PICK ONE.etc.) and its burden as a noncommunicable disease in terms of short-term/chronic disability and morbidity. Consider its epidemiological transition and how it progresses.
Considering the preventative, curative, and rehabilitative approaches to that mental health condition, discuss a POPULATION HEALTH STRATEGY that includes the following (you can include current available strategies to expand upon, as well as, your own ideas):
screening for early detection and treatment of disease (also, include when and where these can be performed)
multiple risk factor interventions
identification of cost-effective interventions
genetic counseling and interventions
research
Social workers are the largest group of mental health providers within the United States when compared with the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors…etc.). Lastly, discuss how social workers would help implement your population health strategy and improve/reduce the mental health condition and its’ impact on society.
