Perceptions of Overall Health and Recency of Screenings

Abstract

People who are served by the public mental health system often live with chronic medical conditions, exhibit many risk factors for metabolic syndrome, and experience high rates of early mortality. This research project assessed the recency of screenings and perceptions of overall health of 148 people served by the public mental health system and attending peer-run, self-help centers in New Jersey. The results underscore existing health risks and the need to assess, educate, and empower people served by the public mental health systems to regularly access screenings and self-monitor health measures, including weight and blood pressure.

Keywords:

• health disparities
• health screenings
• metabolic syndrome