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"People With Schizophrenia Face Much Higher Risk of Early Death"

  • U.S. News and World Report
  • (October 28, 2015)

American adults with schizophrenia face a much higher risk of an early death, particularly from heart and lung diseases associated with smoking, a new study finds. These individuals need "wide-reaching programs to intervene early in preventing obesity and smoking, and to promote healthy lifestyle choices," said Katherine Burdick, PhD, a professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount. She believes that people with schizophrenia face "unique challenges" to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and doctors must "do whatever is necessary to help patients optimize cardiovascular health through regular exercise, proper diet and the avoidance of substances including tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs." Learn more