Live from AHA Annual Meeting: Importance of Integrating Behavioral and Primary Health

The integration of behavioral health and primary health care leads to early detection and treatment of numerous issues. Patients suffering from chronic physical ailments experience better outcomes, as well as an improved quality of life. Creating this integration begins with education and partnerships, both within the health care system and the surrounding community. Denise Dugas is the Senior Director of Mental and Behavioral Health at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and among the nearly 1,000 health care leaders attending this years meeting. Today, Denise joins Rebecca Chickey, AHA's Senior Director of Behavioral Health services to discuss the importance of integration of behavioral and primary health and speciality health care within a hospital system.