NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- New York Business Group on Health (NYBGH) today announced a groundbreaking initiative to promote screening for depression in primary care settings. The initiative, called One Voice, will promote the use of a quick, simple screening test to help detect and treat depression in people who are suffering silently. NYBGH launched the program in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York City Metro chapter of the National Alliance of Mental Illness. The alliance also includes many health plans and managed behavioral health organizations.
In the first of several projects aimed at increasing depression screening and treatment, NYBGH has sent a letter to 30,000 primary care tri-state physicians and some 1,000 nurse practitioners, urging them to screen patients at least once a year with the PHQ-9, a simple tool for detecting depression. In the letter, the multi-stakeholder task force suggests focusing on people who have diabetes, heart disease or a personal or family history of depression, since they are most likely to suffer from the disease.
"These health plans are taking a historic step," said Laurel Pickering, Executive Director, New York Business Group on Health. "By coming together to confront the growing issue of depression, we are highlighting how business can contribute to positive health and wellness outcomes for both local employees and area companies."
More than 430,000 adult New Yorkers (7.5%) have depression, but many are not diagnosed and do not receive treatment. The disease exacerbates physical illness, undermines workplace productivity, decreases self care and harms relationships and family life. Depression's annual toll on U.S. businesses amounts to about $70 billion in medical expenditures, lost productivity and other costs. Depression accounts for close to $12 billion in lost workdays each year.
"This project has grown out of a unique collaboration among employers, government, advocates and health plans to promote mental health," said Ilene Margolin, SVP Corporate Affairs, GHI and Chair of the NYBGH Mental Health Task Force. "These key stakeholders have put aside competition and are setting a powerful example of how enterprise can foster better health."
"Depression screening should be a routine part of medical care," said Dr. David Rosin, Executive Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "We are glad that the business community is helping us get this message to primary care providers. Depression can be very disabling -- 15% of New Yorkers with depression say it limits their ability to work. Fortunately, there is a simple test for depression and the condition is very treatable. This screening can be as important to your health as a blood pressure test or a cancer screening."
Pitney Bowes is just tri-state employer that supports the One Voice initiative as a way to combat depression. "More than $11 billion in business costs accrue from decreased productivity due to symptoms that decrease energy, affect work habits, cause problems with concentration, memory, and decision-making," said Dr. Jack Mahoney, Director, Strategic Health Care Initiatives, Pitney Bowes Inc.
About New York Business Group on Health
Founded in 1982, the New York Business Group on Health (NYBGH) is a not-for-profit coalition of 150 businesses and is the only organization in the New York Metropolitan area exclusively devoted to employer health benefit issues. Members include employers and healthcare organizations. The mission of NYBGH is to provide leadership and knowledge to employers to promote a value-based, market-driven healthcare system.
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