Western Highlands Network
Friday E-Mail Newsletter
Number 98
7/20/2007
The Friday E-Mail is a weekly update for providers by the Services Management Department of Western Highlands Network. Please distribute to all your staff.
Western Highlands Network Announces An Initiative to Facilitate Monitoring for Metabolic Syndrome
Schizophrenia and other major mental illnesses are associated with several chronic physical illnesses as well as a shortened life expectancy. On average, life expectancy for consumers with schizophrenia is typically shortened by more than 20 years when compared with the general population. One of the chief causes for this tragic statistic is Metabolic Syndrome.
Metabolic Syndrome is associated with both diabetes and cardiovascular disease and includes abdominal obesity, elevated fasting plasma glucose levels, elevated triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, and hypertension. Research has suggested that many atypical antipsychotic medications increase the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome. It is imperative that consumers who are prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications be monitored for Metabolic Syndrome and linked with appropriate primary medical care. When physical health problems are identified, best practice requires that there is coordination of treatment between primary medical care and specialty mental health providers.
Several specialty mental health providers have recently expressed interest in developing closer working relationships with primary care and systematically monitoring for Metabolic Syndrome. Western Highlands Network would like to facilitate these efforts and is seeking to partner with providers in our 8 county area who would like to collaborate in the development of criteria and strategies to monitor for and address Metabolic Syndrome.
Western Highlands Network will convene this discussion, which is open to all interested providers, on August 1 at 2-4pm at WHN. If you are interested in participating, please contact Heidi at sears0511@westernhighlands.org by July 27th.
Charlie Schoenheit
Director of Services Management
Western Highlands Network
356 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
Telephone: (828)258-3511 x2219
FAX: (828) 225-2779
E-Mail: Charlie@westernhighlands.org
Website: westernhighlands.org
