Press Release

Manasquan, N.J., USA, August 11, 2005 - Recent research from the Disease Management Association of America reports that 70 percent of chronic physical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and multiple sclerosis, are coupled with depression. These co-morbidities are often complicated by substance abuse, eating disorders and other diagnosable psychological illnesses. Given an estimated annual burden of depression of $83 billion, most of which relates to lost workplace productivity and absenteeism, healthcare professionals are not taking the situation lightly.

Increased mental health awareness of depression has spurred healthcare professionals to integrate psychological components into previously stand-alone medical disease management programs. A 49-page special report, “Depression Disease Management: Healthcare’s New Frontier,” produced by the Healthcare Intelligence Network (HIN) offers in-depth analysis of current depression disease management (DDM) programs and provides case studies to underscore the importance of treating psychological and medical disease aspects in tandem. For more information, please visit the HIN bookstore.

“There is greater cognizance of the correlation (between depression and physical disease states) and need for coordinated treatment plans,” said Dr. Alex Rodriguez, chief medical officer, Magellan Health, whose DDM case study supplements this report. “Depression is a high co-morbidity condition with wide-ranging destructive effects. The disease must be taken and treated seriously, as both a part of and apart from the conditions with which it co-occurs,” he added.

Healthcare trends highlight advanced technology, community outreach, cost- containment initiatives and overall heightened education as hallmarks of industry progression. However, such rapid expansion often begets increased complexity. Now, health planners and providers are trying to minimize confusion and reap maximum benefits while still looking toward the future.

In this special report, case studies analyze current DDM initiatives within Health Integrated Inc. and Resources for Living (RFL). Dr. Sam Toney, president and CEO, Health Integrated and Mary Beth Chalk, chief operating officer, RFL lend insight into the comprehensive approach of DDM, providing:

• Contextual support for program development;
• Key DDM components and features including enrollment procedure, community outreach and overall objectives;
• Standard and original clinical measures and methods;
• Financial implications of DDM programs;
• Initiative benefits, shortcomings and strategies for overcoming challenges; and
• Detailed case studies and advice from the field.

“We need more communication among community agencies, schools and all entities that could influence individuals toward optimal health,” said Dr. Rodriguez. “We’ve got a problem.”

This comprehensive report, available in print and Adobe® Acrobat® PDF formats, outlines program features from implementation to outcome, specifying measurement and screening tools along with benefits, shortfalls, challenges and future implications of these initiatives. For more information on this product, upcoming audio conferences and related resources, please visit the HIN bookstore.

About the Healthcare Intelligence Network---HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 292-3073, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit http://www.hin.com.

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