Reuters (7/11, Rapaport) reported that a study published online July 1 in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that the number of teens and young adults using antipsychotics is rising. It appears that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is one of the main contributors to the rise, a condition for which the medications are not approved. The study found that only 1.10 percent of teens and 0.69 of young adults between the ages of 19 and 24 used antipsychotics. That number rose to 1.19 percent among teens in 2010 and 0.84 percent among young adults. Even though the number seems small, the article noted that these add up to large numbers considering the fact that there are currently about 74 million children under 18 in the US.

Related Links:

— “Antipsychotic use rising among teens and young adults,” Lisa Rapport, Reuters, July 10, 2015.

In a 344-77 vote, the House on Friday “overwhelmingly passed” the 21st Century Cures Bill, “a bipartisan bill that would make significant changes to the process for developing new drugs and medical devices,” the Washington Post (7/11, Johnson) “Wonkblog” reported. The bill was “cheered by rare across-the-aisle support” from legislators and supported by “the pharmaceutical industry, patient advocacy groups, and medical organizations,” the Post added.

The Los Angeles Times (7/11, Levey) reported the bill would grant “$8.75 billion in new funding for the National Institutes of Health at a time when the agency’s research budget has been flat for more than a decade.” Last week, the Administration “offered qualified support for the bill while registering concerns with several parts of the legislation, including its funding.”

Related Links:

— “House overwhelmingly passes bill to speed FDA drug approvals,” Carolyn Johnson, Washington Post, July 10, 2015.

The Washington Post (7/10, Mooney) reports according to research published in the open access journal Scientific Reports, living on a tree-lined urban street can be “better for your physical health.” The researchers show “the cognitive and psychological benefits of nature scenery” but also say it “enhances health outcomes” such as “heart conditions, prevalence of cancer, diabetes, mental health problems and much more.”

Related Links:

— “Scientists have discovered that living near trees is good for your health,” Chris Mooney, Washington Post, July 9, 2015.

Reuters (7/9, Kelland) reports that a review published online July 9 in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that cigarette smoking may increase the risk for developing psychosis. Investigators came to this conclusion after analyzing data from studies including some 15,000 users of tobacco and 273,000 non-smokers. Also covering the story are BBC News (7/10, Gallagher) and The Guardian (UK) (7/10, Boseley).

Related Links:

— “New analysis of smoking and schizophrenia suggests causal link,” Kate Kelland, Reuters, July 10, 2015.

The Kaiser Health News (7/9, Pockros) interviewed former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), who discussed his efforts to promote mental health treatment. Kennedy said, “Today we are reacting to an epidemic of untreated mental illness.” He recommended building “a chronic care or intensive care system so that people are treated and cared for, and not abandoned.” He favors “a chronic care approach to” the treatment of mental illness.

Related Links:

— “Patrick Kennedy On Moving Mental Health Policy Out Of ‘The Dark Ages’,” Alana Pokros, Kaiser Health News, July 9, 2015.