HCPlive (7/25, Derman) reports, “A recent study found physical activity engagement is inversely associated with reducing depression symptoms, and the association was stronger among people with greater pain.” Researchers found “participating in physical activity can help reduce symptoms of depression in individuals with osteoarthritis, especially those with greater pain levels.” The findings were published in PLOS Global Public Health.

Related Links:

— “Physical Activity Linked to Reducing Depression Symptoms, Mediated by Pain,”Chelsie Derman, HCPlive, July 25, 2024

The Hill (7/25, Teshome) reports, “Mental health inequities are projected to cost the U.S. $14 trillion between now and 2040, according to a new study from the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College and the Deloitte Health Equity Institute.” The study “concluded that unaddressed mental health conditions create a significant economic burden for the country and that eliminating inequities in treatment could lead to significant savings on health care.”

Related Links:

— “Mental health inequities projected to cost US $14 trillion over 16 years, new study says,”Eden Teshome , The Hill, July 25, 2024

Psychiatric News (7/24) reports a study found “individuals with depression and/or anxiety are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt that makes paying bills difficult compared with individuals without those diagnoses.” Researchers also found “those with depression or anxiety who carry medical debt are more likely to delay or forego treatment than diagnosed individuals without medical debt.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Medical Debt Linked to Delayed, Foregone Care Among Those With Depression, Anxiety, Psychiatric News, July 24, 2024

HealthDay (7/24, Thompson ) reports, “Misuse of illicit prescription drugs is falling dramatically among U.S. high school students, a new study says.” Researchers found “the percentage of seniors who say they’ve misused prescription drugs in the past year has dropped to 2% in 2022, down from 11% back in 2009.” The findings were published in JAMA.

Related Links:

— “Big Drop in U.S. Kids, Teens Misusing Prescription Meds,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, July 24, 2024

MedPage Today (7/24, DePeau-Wilson ) reports, “Nearly 1 in 5 physicians experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a review and meta-analysis.” In the analysis, “the estimated pooled prevalence of PTSD among physicians was 18.3%, a figure more than 3 times higher than the general population.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)

Healio (7/23, Rhoades) reports, “Individuals who develop type 1 diabetes during childhood experienced greater risk for several mental health conditions later in life, including anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, study results showed.” But, “youth with type 1 diabetes experienced lower risk for developing schizophrenia vs. those without type 1 diabetes.” The findings were published in Nature Mental Health.

Related Links:

— “Child-onset diabetes linked to high risk for mental health disorders later in life,”Child-onset diabetes linked to high risk for mental health disorders later in life, Healio, July 23, 2024

The AP (7/23, Fendrich , Pells ) reports that as the Paris 2024 Olympics open on Friday, athletes now have more access to mental health resources. Jessica Bartley, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s senior director of psychological services, noted that approximately half of US athletes at the last two Olympiads faced mental health issues. Olympians like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Michael Phelps have highlighted the importance of mental health. The International Olympic Committee has implemented various support measures, including a 24/7 helpline and mental health professionals at the Games.

Related Links:

— “Biles, Osaka and Phelps spoke up about mental health. Has anything changed for the Paris Olympics?,”Howard Fendrich , AP, July 23, 2024

Healio (7/22, Byrne ) reports, “Physician coaching by professionally trained peers effectively decreased physician burnout and interpersonal disconnectedness, according to study results.” Additionally, the approach “increased professional fulfillment and engagement, findings of a randomized clinical trial showed.” The findings were publishedin JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Physician peer coaching reduces burnout, improves well-being,”Jennifer Byrne, Healio, July 22, 2024

Neurology Advisor (7/22, Via) reports, “Prolonged depressive symptoms during young adulthood may lead to worse cognitive function later in life, especially among Black adults, according to study findings.” The findings were published in Neurology.

Related Links:

— “More Depressive Symptoms in Young Adulthood May Lead to Poorer Midlife Cognition,”Colette Via, Neurology Advisor, July 22, 2024

HCPlive (7/19, Derman) reported, “A new study observed the high prevalence of medical debt among adults with depression and anxiety, a factor that may prevent people from receiving mental health care.” Compared to people “without the respective mental disorders, medical debt was more prevalent among adults with lifetime depression…lif etime anxiety…curren t depression…and current anxiety.” Additionally, “medical debt was linked to delayed health care among adults with lifetime depression…lif etime anxiety…curren t depression…and current anxiety…compar ed to participants without mental disorders.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Medical Debt Causes Many People to Delay or Forgo Mental Health Care,”Chelsie Derman, HCPlive, July 19, 2024