201002
Infectious Disease Epidemics including H1N1
POSITION STATEMENT
Approved by the Board of Trustees, May 2010
Approved by the Assembly, November 2009
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"Policy documents are approved by the APA Assembly and Board of Trustees… These are …position statements that define APA official policy on specific subjects…" -- APA Operations Manual. |
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This position statement was developed by the Council on Research and Quality Care
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ISSUE: As the nation faces the onset of seasonal flu season and H1N1 continues to spread the APA acknowledges the increasing impact this will continue to make on the community. Many populations are vulnerable due to their situation, disease or socioeconomic position. Additionally individuals in schools and institutions are at additional risk due to their close proximity with each other.
POSITION STATEMENT:
With the infectious diseases such as H1N1 APA strongly supports:
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Increased collaboration between psychiatry and primary care and public health to foster adherence, behavioral and medical interventions including psychiatric care for those exposed and infected. |
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Active and rapid planning for the special needs of vulnerable populations. In particular care and outreach is critically important for children; child and adult psychiatric patients, particularly those with chronic mental illnesses; those infected with HIV; schools; pregnant women; and the elderly. |
The APA encourages psychiatrists and others to stay informed of the CDC guidelines and the vaccine recommendations in the statement.