An analysis of barriers impeding integration of depression and primary care presents information for future implementation of services.

While significant barriers to integrating behavioral health and primary care services exist, case studies of organizations that have successfully overcome these barriers share certain common factors.

No abstract

Federal mental health parity legislation is likely to increase utilization of mental health services by individuals who had previously met their benefit limit.

A retrospective analysis was made of all births at the Royal Darwin Hospital from 1 January 1969 to 31 December 1983. The births were divided into weight categories and racial groups (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal).The study showed that there was a 23.2% incidence of low birthweight (LBW) babies (less than 2500 g) in Aboriginals compared with an incidence of 6.4% in non-Aboriginals. It was found that Aboriginals had a better chance of surviving the neonatal periods than non-Aboriginals of the same birthweight for all birthweights up to 2500 g. It is suggested that this occurred because most LBW Aboriginals were more mature than their birthweight would have suggested.The perinatal and neonatal mortality, however, remains high in the Aboriginal babies and this can also be attributed to the high incidence of LBW babies in this group, and perhaps to the limited use of antenatal care by the Aboriginal mothers.