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Latest News Around the Web

Incident Stroke Linked To Acute, Accelerated Long-Term Cognitive Decline In Older Adults Who Survived Stroke, Study Suggests

Neurology Advisor (11/18, Khaja) reports, “In older adults who survived stroke, incident stroke is associated with acute and accelerated long-term cognitive decline, according to study findings.” The researchers said, “Targeting modifiable vascular risk factors at an early stage may reduce the risk of stroke but also subsequent risk of stroke-related cognitive decline and cognitive impairment.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Cognitive Decline After Stroke Is Prevalent Among Older Stroke Survivors,” Hibah Khaja, PharmD, Neurology Advisor, November 18, 2024

People with Cushing’s disease frequently experience persistent cognitive, psychiatric complications

Cushing’s Disease News (11/15, Wexler ) reported, “People with Cushing’s disease frequently experience cognitive and psychiatric complications, often persisting after surgery to remove the disease-driving tumor, a review study” found. This “could be because high cortisol levels during active phases of Cushing’s disease can cause physical changes in brain structure that persist after cortisol levels are back under control following surgery, the researchers said.” The findings were published in the Journal of Neuroendocrinology.

Related Links:

— “Brain structure changes may explain Cushing’s cognitive issues,” Marisa Wexler, MS, , November 15, 2024

Alcohol Consumption Among Adults Increased During Early Part Of Pandemic, And This Increase Was Sustained Two Years Later, Analysis Finds

Psychiatric News (11/15) reported, “Alcohol consumption among adults increased during the early part of the COVID pandemic, and this increase was sustained two years later, according to an analysis.” Investigators came to this conclusion after examining “data from the 2018, 2020, and 2022 editions of the nationally representative National Health Interview Survey…which included responses on drinking behaviors from 24,965 adults 18 or over in 2018, 30,829 in 2020, and 26,806 in 2022.” The findings were published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Pandemic-Fueled Rise in Drinking Persisted Into 2022,” Psychiatric News, November 15, 2024

Army Saw Fewer Suicides In Recent Months, Report Says

USA Today (11/14, Brook , Mayes-Osterman ) reports, “The Army saw fewer suicides in recent months, a change in a trend that has long plagued the military.” A report that was “released by the Pentagon Thursday showed suicides rose throughout the military last year, before they began decreasing this year in the Army, which is the military’s largest branch.” The Army reported “the most suicides last year at 279, an increase of 25 from the prior year.” Meanwhile, “the Marine Corps recorded 71 suicides, the Navy recorded 78, the Air Force recorded 93, and the Space Force recorded two suicides.” Military officials “say numbers improved in 2024 because of an emphasis on safe storage of guns and drugs, and a renewed effort to limit stress in soldiers’ lives.”

Related Links:

— “Military suicides still on the rise, but Army gets good news after recent surge,” Tom Vanden Brook and Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, November 14, 2024

Loneliness Increases Risk For Dementia Because Of Any Cause, Meta-Analysis Finds

The Washington Post (11/14, Kim ) reports “a meta-analysis, using longitudinal data from over 600,000 people, has found that loneliness increases the risk for dementia because of any cause, including Alzheimer’s disease.” The research also found “that loneliness is associated with cognitive impairment, an early stage of cognitive decline that may precede the onset of dementia.” The findings were published in Nature Mental Health.

Related Links:

— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

Foundation News

New Radio Ad Explores Racial Inequities and Mental Health in Current Crises

Institutional and structural racism are major factors in these times of pandemic and civil unrest. The African American community is particularly hit hard by the coronavirus, police brutality, and the economic burdens that come with them. The ad explains how there is hope and help available.

Racial Inequities and Current Crises in AmericaRacial Inequities and Current Crises in America, MP3, 712KB

You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.

The Foundation Strongly Condemns All Forms of Racism

A Message from the Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry Board of Directors:

The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry strongly condemns all forms of racism.  The Foundation calls on all Americans and all levels of government to actively oppose racism, and all related violence and brutality. The Foundation recognizes that there are wide disparities in treatment of mental illness and access to care related to race. Consistent with our mission to fight stigma associated with mental illness and to promote awareness and access to care for all individuals regardless of race, the Foundation pledges to support programs which combat racism.

The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry stands in solidarity with the agendas of the American Psychiatric Association, Maryland Psychiatric Society, and the Black Psychiatrists of America.  We endorse the following action items outlined by the Black Psychiatrists of America:

• Declare racism a public health problem and establish national goals for addressing this as a health equity issue. Give priority to addressing the issues of health care disparities including the mental health needs of historically marginalized communities across the US.
 
• Provide adequate funding for the clinical care, training, and research needed to eliminate health disparities and require racism impact statements for all government funded services and research. 
 
• Establish a governmental multidisciplinary and ethnically diverse commission with representatives from the major health care professional associations in medicine, nursing, psychiatry, public health, psychology, social work, etc., and the faith-based community to provide recommendations to Congress regarding policies on how best to improve the health and well-being of our nation’s Black citizens.
 
• Declare “Civic Mental Health” a national priority and incorporate it into the educational curriculum from K-college, as well as in the training of local, state and national officials, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system. 
 
• Establish police community review boards with power to take action in areas of police misconduct pending formal review by the appropriate authorities. This will offer a level of empowerment when communities feel they have a voice that can be heard. 
 
• Assure adequate insurance coverage for mental disorders and emotional distress that are the outgrowth of racism, police brutality, discrimination of all kinds and violence. 

The Maryland Psychiatric Society has also put out a statement on their website.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) also condemns racism and has published their statement, too.

New Radio Ad Explores Mental Health in the Wake of the Coronavirus

A recent poll shows that more than half the people in the United States are feeling extremely worried by the coronavirus. They find they aren’t sleeping properly, are distracted, or being driven into depression. The ad explains how there is hope and help available.

The Coronavirus and Your State of MindThe Coronavirus and Your State of Mind, MP3, 721KB

You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.

New Radio PSA Examines Rise in Child Suicides

Suicide rates among those under age 25 increased 56% in the last decade and tripled for 10 to 14 year olds. Getting professional help is important for the health of the child.

The Suicide Epidemic Among ChildrenThe Suicide Epidemic Among Children, MP3, 3.2MB

You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.