Severe mental illness, physical health disparities and mortality: New insights from Northern Ireland

Researchers from ADR Northern Ireland have released a Data Insight on physical health disparities and elevated mortality rates among people with severe mental illness in Northern Ireland.

The study examines the relationship between severe mental illness (classified as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), selected chronic disorders, and mortality in a population attending hospital settings in Northern Ireland over a 12-year period. It linked several administrative datasets stored securely within the Honest Broker Service, a trusted research environment in Northern Ireland.

The research found that individuals with severe mental illness in Northern Ireland face significantly higher rates of physical health issues and mortality compared to the general population. About half of those with severe mental illness also suffer from chronic conditions, and they are more likely to have multiple health problems (multimorbidity) at a younger age. The research found that these individuals experience a two-fold increase in mortality, with factors including being male, living in socially deprived areas, and residing in non-rural regions further exacerbating their health risks.

These findings emphasise the need for targeted healthcare interventions. Improving access to healthcare, addressing the social determinants of health, and providing comprehensive care for both mental and physical health conditions could significantly reduce the excess mortality rates among this population.

Read the full Data Insight.