PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES AND AMERICAN PSYCHIATRYROLE IN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH

Economic and social change in the developing countries of Asia, Africa , Latin America, and the Pacific Islands is associated with increased rates of behavior-related illnesses, including psychiatric disorders, alcoholism, and substance abuse. Between 10 and 20 percent of the pres enting problems in primary care settings in those countries are psycho social. The authors provide an overview of the epidemiology of psychia tric and psychosocial morbidity in developing countries and summarize its effect on medical care systems in those settings. They suggest tha t American psychiatry increase its involvement in improving mental hea lth care in developing countries. Consultation should be directed towa rd priorities determined locally in those countries, including assessm ent of current clinical practices, applied epidemiologic research, and training of indigenous researchers.