Co-morbidity of mental and physical illness: meeting unmet care needs

People with chronic physical conditions experience poorer mental health compared to the general population. Co-morbid depression and chronic disease are associated with high healthcare use and high costs to the health system. Despite improvements in mental health care service delivery, people experiencing mental illness have high mortality from physical health issues, suggesting that the health care needs of this group are not being met. This RESEARCH ROUNDup explores the reasons for primary health care disadvantage among people with physical and mental illness co-morbidity, and strategies to improve health care provision for this group