Mental Health

Stress

Study Finds Mental Health and Heart Disease Tightly Linked

Good mental health is just as important as exercise and diet in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, especially for women over the age of 45, according to results of a new study.  This study, conducted by an Emory University sociologist and published in the May 2004 issue of the journal Aging and Mental Health, found that cardiovascular disease was lowest in adults who were the most mentally healthy and highest among adults with major depressive episodes.  The study's author said that not enough is being done to treat mental health on the same level as other heart disease risk factors.  (7/04)

Less Educated People Have Lower Stress, But More Health Effects

While less educated people report fewer stressful days than those with more education, their stress is more severe and has a larger impact on their health.  The report appeared in the May 2004 issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.  A lot of attention has been given to inequalities in health.  There is a well-documented disparity between the advantaged and disadvantaged based on studies on death rates and rates of disease.  The report said studies on stress typically overlook daily stressor or hassles, which are different from chronic or acute stressors, such as major illnesses or loss of a loved one.  The main finding is that daily stressors are not random -- where you are in society determines the kinds of stressors that you have each day.  And while those with more education have more days of stress, they are not as affected by it.  (7/04)