Select the image above to download a PDF file of the program. | For many months American's have faced an economy that has grown increasingly fragile. Federal, state, and local governments face budget deficits that threaten services and programs designed to help the very vulnerable at a time that these resources are most needed. Despite the concerns, there remains a sense of hope embodied in the potential for change. Perhaps rather than finding new resources, we need to rethink and reform what we currently do and what we currently have. Instead of watching the continually rising costs of health care, it may be time to rethink how we care for ourselves and each other. Health and wellness may be the focus for all of us as well as each of us. Prevention is a critical tool in improving health and reducing costs. It is an increasing topic of discussion and is being touted as a component of the solution to reducing future health care costs while improving our national health. Now is the time to move beyond just the conversation and determine how to reshape our systems and our thinking to address prevention. We can no longer just criticize because "no one pays for prevention." Another way to talk about this is to plan the transition from a "sick care system" to one with a focus on health, wellness, prevention, and early intervention. This would be a system where every citizen sees an improved quality of life and the most vulnerable among us have ample resources to control their own futures. As behavioral health specialists what do we need to know and what do we need to do to lead this transition? What is population health? What barriers need to be overcome? How do we overcome them? What solutions do we already know that can transform the American health care system into one that works for everyone? |
Mental Health Weekly A recent issue of Mental Health Weekly include significant coverge of the 2009 Santa Fe Summit. The March 16 issue provides an exclusive report on Summit events. Access to the issues is available from the link below. ACMHA extends its appreciation to the editors of Mental Health Weekly for providing this document. Summit Proceedings Camille Miller, President/CEO, Texas Health Institute, and Cahir, 2009 ACMHA Summit Planning Committee prepared a summary report of Summit Proceedings and "implications for Texas." A PDF copy of that report is available from the link. |
