[Burden of psychiatric diseases in Chile].
Chile has one of the highest disease burdens caused by neuropsychiatric illnesses in the world, according to WHO, reaching to 31%. Major depression and alcohol use disorders are ranked first and second in attributed disability among adults. Nearly one-third of the population has had a psychiatric disorder in their lifetime, and 22.2% in the past year. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent conditions, followed by major depression and alcohol abuse. Currently, mental health accounts for 2.3%) of the health care budget, which is less than some neighboring countries. The availability of 1.3 psychiatric beds per 10,000 inhabitants, is less than the mean of lower-income countries. Moreover, 81% are for chronic rather than acute care. Chile has 4.0 psychiatrist per 100,000 inhabitants, which is lower than other countries in Latin America. Only 38.5% of those patients with a psychiatric diagnosis receive any kind of mental health care, whether from a specialist or primary care. There is a perception among lay persons, that psychiatric treatments lack efficacy, despite evidence demonstrating the contrary. Not addressing the treatment gap in mental health has serious public health implications.
Vicente P
Benjamín
B
Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile. bvicent@udec.cl
Kohn
Robert
R
Saldivia B
Sandra
S
Rioseco S
Pedro
P
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index