Public Underestimates Life Expectancy Gap from Severe Mental Illness
The study, conducted by King’s Health Partners, Maudsley Charity, and the Policy Institute at King’s College London, highlights this “hidden health crisis,” which affects over half a million individuals in the UK living with conditions such as schizophrenia, psychosis, and bipolar disorder.
Only around one in nine respondents (11%) correctly recognized the true extent of the mortality gap associated with SMI. In truth, the life-shortening impact of SMI exceeds that of diabetes, severe obesity, or smoking, which generally reduce life expectancy by up to a decade.
The survey, which included 2,000 adults, also revealed widespread misconceptions regarding the causes of premature death among those with SMI.
Half of participants (50%) incorrectly assumed suicide was the primary cause, even though it accounts for roughly 9% of excess deaths.
Few respondents were aware that cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses are the main contributors.
Knowledge of social and demographic inequalities linked to SMI was similarly limited.
Only 14% knew the condition is more prevalent among Black African and Black Caribbean Britons, and fewer than half recognized its association with greater deprivation and urban living.
Despite these gaps in understanding, there is strong public support for interventions. Two-thirds of those surveyed (67%) believe that improved health care is essential to increase life expectancy for people living with SMI.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
