This study's objective was to investigate how peer support relates to psychiatric hospitalization and crisis stabilization utilization outcomes. The likelihood of experiencing a psychiatric hospitalization or a crisis stabilization was modeled for consumers using peer support services and a control group of consumers using community mental health services but not peer support with 2003 and 2004 Georgia Medicaid claims data; 2003 and 2004 Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Addictive Diseases (MHDDAD) Community Information System data; and 2003 and 2004 MHDDAD Hospital Information System data. Peer support was associated with an increased likelihood (odds = 1.345) of crisis stabilization, a decreased but statistically insignificant likelihood (odds = 0.871) of psychiatric hospitalization overall, and a decreased and statistically significant (odds = .766) likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization for those who did not have a crisis stabilization episode.

No abstract

It may be unwise to pursue state smoke-free laws where they have yet to pass; rather, efforts might be better focused at the local level, where there is evidence of a significant impact.

C ommunities of color have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing weaknesses and structural inequities in systems of care and support. Disparities in how the virus affected different people and communities are evident in nearly every aspect of the pandemic including risk of exposure, infection, hospitalization, and death, as well as in the vaccine rollout.We know this inequity is caused by conditions much broader than a single viral molecule. Neighborhood and physical environment, lifelong chronic and cumulative exposure to social and economic stressors, 1 occupation and job conditions, income and wealth, and education all play a major role in the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Recovering from the virus and building resilience for future crises require a cohesive strategy to address these broader determinants of health for the long term.While people in health care, public health, and social services sectors in some communities have coordinated efforts for years, the pandemic has inspired others that have not worked this way before to begin aligning in ways that can address both short-and long-term goals and needs of individuals and entire communities.