Addressing the Rising Mental Health Needs of an Aging Population

Download Addressing the Rising Mental Health Needs of an Aging Population PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 9780309712576
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (125 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Addressing the Rising Mental Health Needs of an Aging Population by : Health and Medicine Division

Download or read book Addressing the Rising Mental Health Needs of an Aging Population written by Health and Medicine Division and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2024-08-28 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Existing systems are not prepared to provide the mental health care services needed by the growing population of older adults. The National Academies Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders hosted a public workshop in May 2023 to highlight the current state of mental health care for older adults, outline the challenges they face, and explore potential long-term strategies and solutions for addressing unmet mental health needs. Discussions emphasized information about wellness and prevention, social determinants of health in aging populations, the impact of workforce shortages and gaps, the need for supportive healthy communities, and strategies to promote positive mental health.This publication summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop.

The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults

Download The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309256658
Total Pages : 396 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (92 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2012-10-26 with total page 396 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At least 5.6 million to 8 million-nearly one in five-older adults in America have one or more mental health and substance use conditions, which present unique challenges for their care. With the number of adults age 65 and older projected to soar from 40.3 million in 2010 to 72.1 million by 2030, the aging of America holds profound consequences for the nation. For decades, policymakers have been warned that the nation's health care workforce is ill-equipped to care for a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse population. In the specific disciplines of mental health and substance use, there have been similar warnings about serious workforce shortages, insufficient workforce diversity, and lack of basic competence and core knowledge in key areas. Following its 2008 report highlighting the urgency of expanding and strengthening the geriatric health care workforce, the IOM was asked by the Department of Health and Human Services to undertake a complementary study on the geriatric mental health and substance use workforce. The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults: In Whose Hands? assesses the needs of this population and the workforce that serves it. The breadth and magnitude of inadequate workforce training and personnel shortages have grown to such proportions, says the committee, that no single approach, nor a few isolated changes in disparate federal agencies or programs, can adequately address the issue. Overcoming these challenges will require focused and coordinated action by all.

Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults

Download Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309671035
Total Pages : 317 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (96 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2020-05-14 with total page 317 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.

Retooling for an Aging America

Download Retooling for an Aging America PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309115876
Total Pages : 317 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Retooling for an Aging America by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Retooling for an Aging America written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2008-09-27 with total page 317 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As the first of the nation's 78 million baby boomers begin reaching age 65 in 2011, they will face a health care workforce that is too small and woefully unprepared to meet their specific health needs. Retooling for an Aging America calls for bold initiatives starting immediately to train all health care providers in the basics of geriatric care and to prepare family members and other informal caregivers, who currently receive little or no training in how to tend to their aging loved ones. The book also recommends that Medicare, Medicaid, and other health plans pay higher rates to boost recruitment and retention of geriatric specialists and care aides. Educators and health professional groups can use Retooling for an Aging America to institute or increase formal education and training in geriatrics. Consumer groups can use the book to advocate for improving the care for older adults. Health care professional and occupational groups can use it to improve the quality of health care jobs.

The Praeger Handbook of Mental Health and the Aging Community

Download The Praeger Handbook of Mental Health and the Aging Community PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN 13 : 1440853355
Total Pages : 297 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (48 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Praeger Handbook of Mental Health and the Aging Community by : Doreen Maller

Download or read book The Praeger Handbook of Mental Health and the Aging Community written by Doreen Maller and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2017-11-27 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive book written by experienced practitioners, this single-volume work describes clinical competencies, specific challenges, and applications in providing services to the elderly and their caregivers. More people are living past age 65 than ever before in the United States, largely due to medical care advances and increased attention to preventive care. The number of people aged 65 and older has increased from 35 million in 2000 to 40 million in 2010, and the elderly population is expected to reach 72 million by 2030. Additionally, the American Psychological Association estimates at least 20 percent of all people aged 65 and older have a diagnosable mental disorder. There is a clear need to provide additional training support to those in the field of elder care as well as those who are friends or family members of older adults. Written by a team of experts each specializing in an aspect of elder care, The Praeger Handbook of Mental Health and the Aging Community is a single-volume text that addresses the training needs of mental health care providers serving the aging population. It offers holistic and integrated models of care after presenting an in-depth explanation of the brain, body, social, and emotional changes across aging that can trigger psychological disorders. The chapters pay attention to issues of diversity and culture in America's aging population; present an integrated care model to serve all of the needs of mentally ill elders; include numerous case studies to demonstrate how approaches can be utilized; and discuss topics such as disability, poverty, and the legal and ethical ramifications of elder care.

Families Caring for an Aging America

Download Families Caring for an Aging America PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309448093
Total Pages : 367 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Families Caring for an Aging America by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Families Caring for an Aging America written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2016-11-08 with total page 367 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.

Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism

Download Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319738208
Total Pages : 564 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (197 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism by : Liat Ayalon

Download or read book Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism written by Liat Ayalon and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-05-22 with total page 564 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book provides a comprehensive perspective on the concept of ageism, its origins, the manifestation and consequences of ageism, as well as ways to respond to and research ageism. The book represents a collaborative effort of researchers from over 20 countries and a variety of disciplines, including, psychology, sociology, gerontology, geriatrics, pharmacology, law, geography, design, engineering, policy and media studies. The contributors have collaborated to produce a truly stimulating and educating book on ageism which brings a clear overview of the state of the art in the field. The book serves as a catalyst to generate research, policy and public interest in the field of ageism and to reconstruct the image of old age and will be of interest to researchers and students in gerontology and geriatrics.

Mental Health in the Elderly

Download Mental Health in the Elderly PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9788072819713
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (197 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Mental Health in the Elderly by : Emmanuel Joseph

Download or read book Mental Health in the Elderly written by Emmanuel Joseph and published by . This book was released on 2023-11-22 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Title: Mental Health in the Elderly: The mental health challenges faced by the elderly population, especially in long-term care facilities Description: "Mental Health in the Elderly" offers an in-depth exploration of the complex and often overlooked mental health challenges that confront the elderly population, with a specific focus on individuals residing in long-term care facilities. This comprehensive book comprises twelve insightful chapters, each addressing a unique aspect of mental health in late life, providing a profound understanding of the critical issues and strategies that are pivotal in promoting the well-being of the elderly. Readers will embark on a journey that begins with the global perspective on aging, understanding the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by the elderly. Chapters dedicated to the aging brain, depression, anxiety, and dementia offer in-depth insights into the intricacies of these conditions in later life. The book examines the silent epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, the growing concern of substance abuse in older adults, and the profound impact of grief and loss. As we delve deeper into the book, we explore the critical role of long-term care facilities and the psychosocial factors that influence mental health within these settings. The final chapters provide a comprehensive overview of therapeutic interventions, treatment approaches, and strategies to promote resilience and well-being in aging, ensuring that the mental health needs of the elderly are recognized and addressed effectively. "Mental Health in the Elderly" is a vital resource for healthcare professionals, caregivers, policy makers, and anyone interested in providing support and care to the elderly population. The book offers a holistic understanding of the mental health challenges unique to the elderly and equips readers with practical knowledge and strategies to enhance the emotional and psychological well-being of older adults, facilitating a more compassionate and informed approach to their care and support.

Preparing for an Aging World

Download Preparing for an Aging World PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309074215
Total Pages : 327 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Preparing for an Aging World by : National Research Council

Download or read book Preparing for an Aging World written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2001-07-26 with total page 327 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Aging is a process that encompasses virtually all aspects of life. Because the speed of population aging is accelerating, and because the data needed to study the aging process are complex and expensive to obtain, it is imperative that countries coordinate their research efforts to reap the most benefits from this important information. Preparing for an Aging World looks at the behavioral and socioeconomic aspects of aging, and focuses on work, retirement, and pensions; wealth and savings behavior; health and disability; intergenerational transfers; and concepts of well-being. It makes recommendations for a collection of new, cross-national data on aging populationsâ€"data that will allow nations to develop policies and programs for addressing the major shifts in population age structure now occurring. These efforts, if made internationally, would advance our understanding of the aging process around the world.

Mental Health in the Elderly

Download Mental Health in the Elderly PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9789186085131
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (851 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Mental Health in the Elderly by : Emmanuel Joseph

Download or read book Mental Health in the Elderly written by Emmanuel Joseph and published by . This book was released on 2024-01-23 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Title: Mental Health in the Elderly: The mental health challenges faced by the elderly population, especially in long-term care facilities Description: "Mental Health in the Elderly" offers an in-depth exploration of the complex and often overlooked mental health challenges that confront the elderly population, with a specific focus on individuals residing in long-term care facilities. This comprehensive book comprises twelve insightful chapters, each addressing a unique aspect of mental health in late life, providing a profound understanding of the critical issues and strategies that are pivotal in promoting the well-being of the elderly. Readers will embark on a journey that begins with the global perspective on aging, understanding the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by the elderly. Chapters dedicated to the aging brain, depression, anxiety, and dementia offer in-depth insights into the intricacies of these conditions in later life. The book examines the silent epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, the growing concern of substance abuse in older adults, and the profound impact of grief and loss. As we delve deeper into the book, we explore the critical role of long-term care facilities and the psychosocial factors that influence mental health within these settings. The final chapters provide a comprehensive overview of therapeutic interventions, treatment approaches, and strategies to promote resilience and well-being in aging, ensuring that the mental health needs of the elderly are recognized and addressed effectively.

Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers

Download Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 030909111X
Total Pages : 319 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2004-03-26 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mirroring a worldwide phenomenon in industrialized nations, the U.S. is experiencing a change in its demographic structure known as population aging. Concern about the aging population tends to focus on the adequacy of Medicare and Social Security, retirement of older Americans, and the need to identify policies, programs, and strategies that address the health and safety needs of older workers. Older workers differ from their younger counterparts in a variety of physical, psychological, and social factors. Evaluating the extent, causes, and effects of these factors and improving the research and data systems necessary to address the health and safety needs of older workers may significantly impact both their ability to remain in the workforce and their well being in retirement. Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers provides an image of what is currently known about the health and safety needs of older workers and the research needed to encourage social polices that guarantee older workers a meaningful share of the nation's work opportunities.

Future Directions for the Demography of Aging

Download Future Directions for the Demography of Aging PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309474108
Total Pages : 409 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Future Directions for the Demography of Aging by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Future Directions for the Demography of Aging written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2018-07-21 with total page 409 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Almost 25 years have passed since the Demography of Aging (1994) was published by the National Research Council. Future Directions for the Demography of Aging is, in many ways, the successor to that original volume. The Division of Behavioral and Social Research at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to produce an authoritative guide to new directions in demography of aging. The papers published in this report were originally presented and discussed at a public workshop held in Washington, D.C., August 17-18, 2017. The workshop discussion made evident that major new advances had been made in the last two decades, but also that new trends and research directions have emerged that call for innovative conceptual, design, and measurement approaches. The report reviews these recent trends and also discusses future directions for research on a range of topics that are central to current research in the demography of aging. Looking back over the past two decades of demography of aging research shows remarkable advances in our understanding of the health and well-being of the older population. Equally exciting is that this report sets the stage for the next two decades of innovative researchâ€"a period of rapid growth in the older American population.

Growing Older in America

Download Growing Older in America PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 108 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (891 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Growing Older in America by :

Download or read book Growing Older in America written by and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

The Growing Gap in Life Expectancy by Income

Download The Growing Gap in Life Expectancy by Income PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 030931710X
Total Pages : 182 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (93 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Growing Gap in Life Expectancy by Income by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book The Growing Gap in Life Expectancy by Income written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2015-09-17 with total page 182 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The U.S. population is aging. Social Security projections suggest that between 2013 and 2050, the population aged 65 and over will almost double, from 45 million to 86 million. One key driver of population aging is ongoing increases in life expectancy. Average U.S. life expectancy was 67 years for males and 73 years for females five decades ago; the averages are now 76 and 81, respectively. It has long been the case that better-educated, higher-income people enjoy longer life expectancies than less-educated, lower-income people. The causes include early life conditions, behavioral factors (such as nutrition, exercise, and smoking behaviors), stress, and access to health care services, all of which can vary across education and income. Our major entitlement programs - Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Supplemental Security Income - have come to deliver disproportionately larger lifetime benefits to higher-income people because, on average, they are increasingly collecting those benefits over more years than others. This report studies the impact the growing gap in life expectancy has on the present value of lifetime benefits that people with higher or lower earnings will receive from major entitlement programs. The analysis presented in The Growing Gap in Life Expectancy by Income goes beyond an examination of the existing literature by providing the first comprehensive estimates of how lifetime benefits are affected by the changing distribution of life expectancy. The report also explores, from a lifetime benefit perspective, how the growing gap in longevity affects traditional policy analyses of reforms to the nation's leading entitlement programs. This in-depth analysis of the economic impacts of the longevity gap will inform debate and assist decision makers, economists, and researchers.

World Report on Ageing and Health

Download World Report on Ageing and Health PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : World Health Organization
ISBN 13 : 9241565047
Total Pages : 260 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (415 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis World Report on Ageing and Health by : World Health Organization

Download or read book World Report on Ageing and Health written by World Health Organization and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2015-10-22 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The WHO World report on ageing and health is not for the book shelf it is a living breathing testament to all older people who have fought for their voice to be heard at all levels of government across disciplines and sectors. - Mr Bjarne Hastrup President International Federation on Ageing and CEO DaneAge This report outlines a framework for action to foster Healthy Ageing built around the new concept of functional ability. This will require a transformation of health systems away from disease based curative models and towards the provision of older-person-centred and integrated care. It will require the development sometimes from nothing of comprehensive systems of long term care. It will require a coordinated response from many other sectors and multiple levels of government. And it will need to draw on better ways of measuring and monitoring the health and functioning of older populations. These actions are likely to be a sound investment in society's future. A future that gives older people the freedom to live lives that previous generations might never have imagined. The World report on ageing and health responds to these challenges by recommending equally profound changes in the way health policies for ageing populations are formulated and services are provided. As the foundation for its recommendations the report looks at what the latest evidence has to say about the ageing process noting that many common perceptions and assumptions about older people are based on outdated stereotypes. The report's recommendations are anchored in the evidence comprehensive and forward-looking yet eminently practical. Throughout examples of experiences from different countries are used to illustrate how specific problems can be addressed through innovation solutions. Topics explored range from strategies to deliver comprehensive and person-centred services to older populations to policies that enable older people to live in comfort and safety to ways to correct the problems and injustices inherent in current systems for long-term care.

Health Among the Elderly in Germany

Download Health Among the Elderly in Germany PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Verlag Barbara Budrich
ISBN 13 : 3847402889
Total Pages : 214 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (474 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Health Among the Elderly in Germany by : Gabriele Doblhammer

Download or read book Health Among the Elderly in Germany written by Gabriele Doblhammer and published by Verlag Barbara Budrich. This book was released on 2014-11-19 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whether increasing life expectancy leads to better health remains still controversial. Three topics are explored: (1) vanguard groups which inform about possible levels of health if the general social and environmental conditions were to approach those of the vanguard group; (2) the social and behavioral determinants of health differentiated into proximal and distal factors; (3) vulnerable groups such as migrants and the health differences between migrant groups. Newly available population-based data as well as new study designs and advanced statistical modelling form the basis for the empirical analyses.

The Social Determinants of Mental Health

Download The Social Determinants of Mental Health PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : American Psychiatric Pub
ISBN 13 : 1585625175
Total Pages : 260 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (856 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Social Determinants of Mental Health by : Michael T. Compton

Download or read book The Social Determinants of Mental Health written by Michael T. Compton and published by American Psychiatric Pub. This book was released on 2015-04-01 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Social Determinants of Mental Health aims to fill the gap that exists in the psychiatric, scholarly, and policy-related literature on the social determinants of mental health: those factors stemming from where we learn, play, live, work, and age that impact our overall mental health and well-being. The editors and an impressive roster of chapter authors from diverse scholarly backgrounds provide detailed information on topics such as discrimination and social exclusion; adverse early life experiences; poor education; unemployment, underemployment, and job insecurity; income inequality, poverty, and neighborhood deprivation; food insecurity; poor housing quality and housing instability; adverse features of the built environment; and poor access to mental health care. This thought-provoking book offers many beneficial features for clinicians and public health professionals: Clinical vignettes are included, designed to make the content accessible to readers who are primarily clinicians and also to demonstrate the practical, individual-level applicability of the subject matter for those who typically work at the public health, population, and/or policy level. Policy implications are discussed throughout, designed to make the content accessible to readers who work primarily at the public health or population level and also to demonstrate the policy relevance of the subject matter for those who typically work at the clinical level. All chapters include five to six key points that focus on the most important content, helping to both prepare the reader with a brief overview of the chapter's main points and reinforce the "take-away" messages afterward. In addition to the main body of the book, which focuses on selected individual social determinants of mental health, the volume includes an in-depth overview that summarizes the editors' and their colleagues' conceptualization, as well as a final chapter coauthored by Dr. David Satcher, 16th Surgeon General of the United States, that serves as a "Call to Action," offering specific actions that can be taken by both clinicians and policymakers to address the social determinants of mental health. The editors have succeeded in the difficult task of balancing the individual/clinical/patient perspective and the population/public health/community point of view, while underscoring the need for both groups to work in a unified way to address the inequities in twenty-first century America. The Social Determinants of Mental Health gives readers the tools to understand and act to improve mental health and reduce risk for mental illnesses for individuals and communities. Students preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) will also benefit from this book, as the MCAT in 2015 will test applicants' knowledge of social determinants of health. The social determinants of mental health are not distinct from the social determinants of physical health, although they deserve special emphasis given the prevalence and burden of poor mental health.