Following the publication of PHE's analysis on the prevalence of physical health conditions in patients with SMI, Dr Peter Byrne, Associate Registrar for Public Mental Health at the Royal College of Psychiatrists said: “This report is welcome, though it’s findings make for grim reading.
“It is astounding that in an age of modern medicine, those with severe mental illness (SMI) have a reduced life expectancy of 17 years compared to the wider population. This is indicative of the blatant inequalities that still exist between mental and physical health.
“The RCPsych is working closely with our partners to build momentum in the move to end these inequalities. This includes addressing the wider issues that contribute to mental and physical illness including poverty, alcoholism and smoking, as well as looking at areas the report did not measure such as the rise in deaths from liver disease.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Web: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: Hannah Perlin Senior Communications Officer
- Out-of-hours contact number: 020 3701 2738