Priority Area: Mental Health/Substance Abuse
The Burden of Poor Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Mental health and substance abuse are interlinked with physical health status and behaviors. Research has shown that many risky behaviors such as tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse, problem gambling and risky sexual activity as well as eating disorders, suicide, school failure, poor overall health, incarceration and homelessness often occur within the context of mental health concerns.
The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) estimates that one in 13 New York State residents suffer from a substance abuse disorder. These figures do not fully depict the widespread impact in New York because of the millions of other individuals whose lives are also affected: the children, spouses, and extended families. The cost to society is compounded by the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse addiction, which impact public safety, health, welfare, and education throughout the state.
Indicators for Tracking Public Health Priority Areas
Objectives
Each community's progress towards reaching these Prevention Agenda Goals and Objectives will be tracked so members can see how close each community is to meeting the goals.
- By the year 2013, reduce the age-adjusted suicide mortality rate in New York to no more than 4.8 per 100,000. Baseline: 6.0 per 100,000, Vital Statistics, 2003-2005. (Healthy People 2010 Goal)
- By the year 2013, reduce the percentage of adult New Yorkers reporting 14 or more days with poor mental health in the last month to no more than 7.8%. Baseline: 10.4%, BRFSS, 2003-2005. (Healthy People 2010 Goal)
- By the year 2013, reduce the percentage of adult New Yorkers reporting binge drinking (5+ drinks in a row) during the past month to no more than 13.4%. Baseline: 15.8%, BRFSS, 2006. (Healthy People 2010 Goal)
- By the year 2013, reduce the age-adjusted drug-related hospitalization rate in New York to no more than 26.0 per 10,000. Baseline: 34.6 per 10,000, SPARCS, 2003-2005. (Healthy People 2010 Goal not available - 25 % reduction from 2003-05 baseline)
County Strategies and Partners Matrix
The County Strategies and Partners Matrix for Mental Health/Substance Abuse was compiled from the 2010-2013 community health assessments submitted in 2009 by 13 local health departments. It describes how local health departments collaborate with hospitals and community organizations to plan and address this priority to improve population health outcomes.
