Improving health outcomes through use of disease registries and care coordination for patients with co-occurring diabetes and mental illness

There is growing empirical evidence that individuals with severe mental illnesses experience higher than average rates of chronic and life-threatening diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary diseases, which together lead to greater death and disability than the general population.  The growing incidence of diabetes is well documented in the general population and among individuals with mental illness. This burgeoning incidence of diabetes in this population due in part attributable to lifestyle factors, obesity, and/or pharmacologic treatments for mental illness.Diabetes poses a huge burden on the health and quality of life of this population as well as tangible and intangible costs to society.

Evidence is available for the use of diabetes registries in improving health outcomes of the general population, but there is little research about the use of this model among patients with mental illness and co-occurring diabetes. Disease registries can help curtail medical costs and improve integration and comprehensiveness of care.

This presentation will describe the implementation of a disease registry and care coordination for individuals with severe mental illness and co-occurring diabetes. Findings will include changes in health outcomes following implementation of this registry.