Mental Health

Rational:

Severe mental illness (SMI) includes schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, and bi-polar disorders. Individuals with SMI are at a higher risk of poor physical health and of premature death. It is estimated that for people with SMI, two out of three deaths are from physical illnesses that can be prevented [1]. Cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors are more common in people with SMI compared with the general population. For instance, the prevalence of obesity is 1.5-2 fold higher in persons with SMI compared with the general population, and the prevalence of diabetes is 2-3 times higher. Additionally, the age of diabetes onset is earlier in persons with SMI, and the incidence and severity of complications are higher as well, including micro- and macro-vascular complications, acute metabolic dysregulation, and diabetes-associated mortality. The underlying mechanisms relating cardiovascular risk factors and SMI are complex, and include genetic, environmental, and behavioral aspects, as well as aspects related to anti-psychotic drug therapy [2].