New Depression Screening Recommendations Will Help Patients and Communities

Jan 26, 2016 - 09:52 AM

In 2014, 15.7 million adults suffered from at least one major depressive episode, making it one of the most common behavioral health conditions in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Major depression is also highly treatable once diagnosed, so making that diagnosis is critical.

Recommendations made today by an independent expert panel could make it easier for adults to get the treatment they need. For the first time, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults be screened for depression by their primary care physician at least once. In addition to screening the general adult population, the task force includes the recommendation that women who are pregnant or have recently given birth be screened by their primary care physician.

This is a critical step to integrating behavioral and physical health in primary care.  Hospitals see first-hand the heavy toll that untreated, serious mental illness imposes on patients, families and communities. That’s why helping hospitals apply the best available science to treat all of the needs of their patients is a key part of the AHA’s behavioral health initiative.

We will continue to provide hospitals with the tools and resources necessary to promote the total health — physical and behavioral — of our patients and communities.

Related News Articles

Headline
Agencies finalize updates to insurer transparency requirements
Multiple changes to transparency in coverage requirements for insurers were finalized Oct. 5 by the Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human…
Headline
CMS finalizes GLOBE drug pricing model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 30 finalized its Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model, also known as the GLOBE Model. The…
Headline
HHS clarifies when state Medicaid agencies can use patient SUD records to verify exemption from community engagement requirements
The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights released new guidance on statutory and regulatory requirements under 42 CFR Part 2, which…
Headline
CMS launches outcomes-driven quality measurement initiative for states 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 25 announced the launch of a new initiative measuring quality in Medicaid and the Children’s Health…
Headline
CMS to remove Marketplace coverage for more than 760,000 as part of anti-fraud efforts
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will cancel approximately 315,000 enrollments impacting more than 760,000 individuals as part of its anti-…
Headline
AHA recommends changes to CMS’ Medicaid provider tax proposed rule
The AHA commented Sept. 21 on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule to implement the changes to Medicaid provider tax policies that…