This session examines health disparities among individuals with serious mental illnesses and factors that influence wellness, physical health management, and health literacy. Discussion will include: a review of factors influencing physical wellness in this population, identifying opportunities for screening, a description of successful, evidence-informed health interventions specifically designed for people with serious mental illness (e.g., WRAP, NEW-R, health navigators), and examination of strategies to implement and sustain these services within diverse mental health settings. Information from a community-based health study focusing on health literacy, health practices, and recovery also will be presented, and strategies to improve workforce competencies will be described.
Presenter: Lisa Razzano, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago