An evaluation was conducted to compare the impact of an 8-week cardiovascular disease risk reduction group teaching program for 92 individuals with mental retardation (MR; IQ less than 70) and 97 normal learners. The curriculum emphasized exercise, nutritional choices, and stress reduction. Body Mass Index (BMI; weight in kilograms, divided by height in meters, squared), […]
In this project, researchers examined access to health care by individuals with developmental disabilities in Kansas from low-income populations and from minority backgrounds (i.e., African American, Hispanic, and American Indian). Four criteria for determining access were: availability, accessibility, affordability, and appropriateness of care. Factors that pose barriers and facilitate access are described and recommendations are […]
Health is influenced by political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioral and biological conditions—either positively or negatively. Health promotion aims to make these factors more favorable through health advocacy. Advocating for physical, mental, and social health requires that individuals with I/DD have opportunities to identify and realize their aspirations, develop the capacity to satisfy their needs, […]
Purpose: To provide a review of the health problems of women with severe mental illness (SMI) that are related to their psychiatric disorders and disabilities, prolonged use of psychotropic medications, and high-risk lifestyle practices. Data Sources: Review of current literature uncovered through MEDLINE, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Psychological Abstracts as well […]
AAHD, the Lakeshore Foundation and six national organizations have joined No Health without Mental Health submitting comments in response to the Senate Committee on Finance Medicare Payment for Chronic Care white paper and RFI. The NHMH submission with AAHD/Lakeshore/CSWA/ISPN/MHA/PCMMH focus on the integration of behavioral health. Available here are: June 14 coalition submission; May 17 […]
AAHD has joined other members of the Mental Health Liaison Group supporting legislation to increase FMAP for Medicaid behavioral health services (HR 4892; S. 3921). Available here is the May 1 coalition letter: PDF. […]
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a Mental Health America and American Psychological Association led coalition letter to HHS and CMS on behavioral health missing from the CMS CMMO ACO Primary Care Flex Demo. The April 24 letter is here: PDF. […]
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation initiated and joined the leadership of No Health without Mental Health and Mental Health America drafted comments on behalf of 13 behavioral health organizations expressing great concern that the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) draft virtual primary care standards omit behavioral health. Available here are the April 4 thirteen […]
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined organizations of the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), led by Mental Health America (MHA), and submitted AAHD-Lakeshore reinforcing comments to NCQA on proposed changes to the HEDIS measures on follow-up services after hospitalization and after emergency department use for mental illness. RE: National Committee for Quality Assurance; Healthcare […]
On January 24th, the Disability Community Engagement Partner Project (DCEPP) at AAHD held our second conversation in the 2023-2024 Disability and Health Webinar series with “Disability Health, Intersectionality + All of Us.” Moderated by Theo Braddy, this conversation brought together a panel of disability community members and advocates to discuss the health needs of […]