MENTAL HEALTH

Measuring what counts (11th February 2010)
This paper is based on a seminar organised jointly by Sainsbury Centre and the Department of Health in 2009.

It argues that public services do not routinely collect data on mental health inequalities and that the information they do collect is not used to its full potential.

It calls for better information to be collected and used to measure inequalities in mental health and the life chances of people with mental health problems.
Paper

A problem shared is a problem halved? Dementia: learning opportunities from Europe (3rd February 2010)
This report, published as a literature review and policy brief, comes at a time of growing awareness of dementia at the UK and EU level

The report argues that:

• There is still widespread disparity in the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with dementia across Europe.
• Discrimination, ignorance and prejudice of dementia is rife.
• All EU countries will need to prioritise spending on dementia and reconcile need, want and value for the public purse in the coming years.
• There is increasing evidence to show early diagnosis coupled with effective early interventions and services are cost effective. Not only in terms of net savings, but in terms of the positive social outcomes for the patients’ families and caregivers.
• The identification of modifiable risk factors that prevent dementia or slow its progression must be a priority, this includes preventative factors such as a healthy diet, promoting physical and cognitive activity and controlling cardiovascular risk factors. Such investments in preventative measures would also improve general public health.
• National Action Plans like the National Dementia Strategy launched in England in 2009 are increasingly considered to be the ‘gold standard’ of policy interventions across Europe. However dementia specific actions and programmes are not in themselves a panacea, if problems in the wider health and social care arena are not addressed.
• There is an increasingly important role for the European Union Institutions to foster, promote and stimulate collaboration between EU Member States.

Press Release
Report