"People with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders often have elevated rates of multiple chronic conditions including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. All too often these health conditions are made worse by lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, smoking, and by the side effects of psychotropic medications," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "Many of these health conditions are preventable through routine health promotion activities, primary care screening, monitoring, treatment and care management. Bringing needed healthcare services to patients in a coordinated and convenient way can go a long way in helping to improve health status."

"We at HRSA believe that this cooperative agreement with SAMHSA will help us to fulfill the patient care mission of safety net providers - including mental health and substance abuse services. HRSA supports the work of Community Health Centers across the Nation, assuring that patients living with mental health or substance abuse concerns can get the screening, treatment and referral for all their health care needs," said Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., Administrator of HRSA. "As Health Centers and other safety net providers work to meet the full range of patient health care needs, HRSA wants to assure that technical assistance and training are available to support those efforts."

Source : Health and Human Services