NEDHSA research to be published in BMC Primary Care Journal

MONROE, La., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeast Delta Human Services Authority's research article, "The Assessment of Mental and Physical Health Outcomes Over Time in An Integrated Care Setting," will be published in BMC Primary Care Journal.

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The study presents encouraging findings on integrated care models that combine behavioral and physical health services. The results demonstrate that individuals with mental health challenges experienced notable improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms over time, while maintaining stable physical health indicators such as systolic blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin.

These findings underscore the value of integrated care in addressing the complex needs of patients, particularly in underserved communities.

Original Article Listing by BMC Primary Care

NEDHSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A. Sizer said, "This report's publication in the BMC Primary Care Journal validates our empirical focus and overall population health improvement desires in Louisiana's Delta. We are honored to have our research featured in such a prestigious journal."

Dr. Sizer said NEDHSA is committed to publishing outcome-based research on the effectiveness of the agency's integrated behavioral and primary health care model.

"I established our analytics department to better help us measure the outcomes and efficiencies of our internal operations and also be able to know more about the social, environmental, psychological and primary health-care needs of the thousands of vulnerable patients we serve regionally," Dr. Sizer said. "With this data focus and our commitment to continuous improvement, we are well on our way to further transforming our region and the lives of those we serve."

Dr. Dependra Bhatta, NEDHSA's Director of Behavioral and Primary Health Analytics, said, "Our study examined the impact of integrating primary care into a behavioral health setting, offering a more coordinated approach for individuals living with mental health conditions. We observed improvements in mental health outcomes and stability in key physical health indicators, such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels."

Dr. Bhatta said the findings are significant because they show that when care is better coordinated, especially in communities where access to comprehensive services is limited, patients can make meaningful progress.

"It speaks to the value of treating the whole person, not just individual conditions," Dr. Bhatta said.

Consistent with NEDHSA's outcomes focus on behalf of vulnerable people and populations, Dr. Sizer will be establishing an evidence to practice research center to inform much-needed research around maternal health, trauma, mental illness, addiction and negative social determinants of health. 

"We are positioned to add significant insights into how you really understand, prevent and treat some of today's most challenging social and medical challenges," Dr. Sizer said. "With our evidence to practice center, we will be drawing down significant research and development dollars, helping to position Louisiana as a national leader in mitigating negative health outcomes associated with maternal health, mental health and addiction prevention and treatment, and the many negative social determinants of health that cause so many in our great state not to thrive and prosper."

SOURCE Northeast Delta Human Services Authority