Physical Health Problems Among People With Severe Mental Illnesses: Race, Gender, and Implications for Practice

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Individuals with severe mental illnesses experience high rates of chronic health conditions; however, the extent to which risk of chronic physical health problems varies by race and gender among these individuals is understudied. AIMS: This study examines variations in health problems by race and gender among individuals with severe mental illnesses. METHOD: Administrative data, which included blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, were obtained from 603 individuals with serious mental illnesses who received integrated health and behavioral health services from a large mental health agency in the Midwest. Bivariate and multivariate statistical models were used to examine variation in physical health problems by race and gender. RESULTS: Compared with men, women with severe mental illnesses were more likely to have BMI levels indicating obesity or morbid obesity ( p < .001). Compared with White participants, Black participants were less likely to have high HbA1c levels ( p < .001) but were more likely to have high blood pressure ( p < .001). Among race and gender groups, Black women were more likely to have high BMI ( p < .05), Black men were more likely to have high blood pressure ( p < .001), and White men were more likely to have high HbA1c levels ( p < .01) when holding constant all other variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that types and severity of physical health problems among individuals with severe mental illnesses varies by race and gender. Replication of these results and more research is needed to ensure that health-related education and integrated health and behavioral health interventions meet the needs of individuals with serious mental illnesses.