Mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders are highly prevalent and are responsible for 14% of the global burden of disease expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The resources that have been provided in countries to tackle the huge burden are insufficient, inequitably distributed, and inefficiently used, which results in a large majority of people with these disorders receiving no care at all. Even when available, treatment and care often is neither evidence-based nor of high quality.

This pilot study investigated the effects of calligraphy therapy on cognitive function in older Hong Kong Chinese people with mild cognitive impairment.

Despite their relatively modest economies, some of the basic population health indicators of Kerala and Sri Lanka are similar to that of the developed nations. Following a review of recent evidence on infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental health and suicides, and maternal mortality, this paper argues that there are challenges arising from declining investments in the public health sector (and increasing privatisation) and inadequate attention to the social determinants of health. It also lists suggestions for policy and a research agenda to further health equity.

Meditators say their practice fundamentally changes the way they experience life. Michael Baime reports on how modern neuroscience is explaining this in biological terms.

Original Source

Neuroscientists study social risk factor for mental illness.

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110622/full/474429a.html

Many of us were raised or currently live in an urban environment. A neuroimaging study now reveals how this affects brain function when an individual is faced with a stressful situation.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v474/n7352/full/474452a.html

More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, making the creation of a healthy urban environment a major policy priority. Cities have both health risks and benefits, but mental health is negatively affected: mood and anxiety disorders are more prevalent in city dwellers and the incidence of schizophrenia is strongly increased in people born and raised in cities.