Narrowing the heart health gap in severe mental illness

Deaths from cardiovascular disease have fallen over the last 20 years but people with schizophrenia and bipolar illness have not shared in these benefits. At the end of last year the first National Audit of Schizophrenia highlighted important deficiencies in management. A systematic care pathway, and straightforward screening, treatment and follow-up in primary care could reduce the continuing health inequalities experienced by people with severe mental illness.