Description
There are substantial inequalities in the distribution of mental illness in the population, the services they receive and the outcomes achieved, by such services. Individuals with both severe and more common mental health disorders have a wide range of social and health needs, all of which concern issues of inequality and social exclusion. Research indicates that services which are needs led and evidence-based are more likely to be clinically and cost effective. This paper highlights the key issues associated with inequalities in mental health and proposes a service development framework for integrated primary care and mental health services. Public health physicians should play an important role in addressing such inequalities through the development and implementation of health improvement programmes.
