What's New at the APA
· Dr. Marketa Wills, M.D., M.B.A. was named the next CEO & Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Wills currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Johns Hopkins Health Plans and has a clinical practice at University of South Florida Student Health Services in Tampa, FL. She will assume the role of CEO on June 1, 2024. You can read more about Dr. Wills and see the full CEO announcement here.
· One in three Americans feel lonely every week according to a January Healthy Minds Monthly poll administered by APA & Morning Consult. Younger people were more likely to experience these feelings, with 30% of 18–34-year-olds saying they were lonely every day or several times a week. You can read the full poll results and read more about loneliness here.
· Personal Finances were a major source of anxiety for Americans heading into 2024, according to the latest Healthy Minds Monthly poll fielded by APA & Morning Consult. 44% of adults they say they experience the same amount of stress at the start of 2024 as they did a year earlier, while one in four said they experience more. You can read the full results of the anxiety poll here.
Visit APA's Newsroom for the latest news releases, statements, blogs, monthly public opinion poll results, and other information.
Videos for Sharing:
APA's Youtube channel has a plethora of mental health focused videos you can use on social media or share elsewhere. Check out our playlist of Spanish language mental health explainers.
Briefs for Your Newsletter
February Course of the Month – Food Addiction: A New Substance Use Disorder?
Approximately 14% of adults and 12% of children exhibit clinically significant levels of "food addiction" based on the DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders. However, "food addiction" is not currently included as a recognized or provisional diagnostic category in the DSM-5. This course will consider the validity of "food addiction," review evidence of excessive food intake and what it can lead to, discuss the clinical relevance, and more.
Click here to access the Course of the Month and sign up for updates about this free member benefit.
Early-bird Registration for APA Annual Meeting Ends February 6
Join APA on Saturday, May 4, through Wednesday, May 8, for sessions, courses, and more in New York City that will leave you feeling inspired and energized. Register today at the lowest rates for the in-person experience, which end on Tuesday, February 6.
NEW At the Annual Meeting: Mind Games Masters!
New for the 2024 Annual Meeting! A three-part educational experience that allows psychiatrists to assess their knowledge and learn more about five subspecialties in an engaging, fun, and competitive format. Any psychiatrist in the U.S. (ACGME-accredited) or Canada may participate. Registration for this Paid Course is available as an add-on in the registration platform when you register for the in-person Annual Meeting. You can learn more about Mind Games Masters and register here.
Contact Your Representative to Prevent Cuts to Physician Reimbursement
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a 3.4% reduction in Medicare's physician payments for 2024. This cut is devastating to physician practices and the patients they care for, and could necessitate reduced staffing and office closures, disproportionately harming rural and underserved communities. Please urge Congress to prevent these devastating cuts from going into effect by cosponsoring the Preserving Seniors' Access to Physicians Act of 2023 (H.R.6683). This bipartisan bill would completely eliminate the 3.4% physician pay cut expected to take effect on January 1. Learn more and compose a message to your representative in Congress here.
@theAPA Delirium Update 2024 Promotion:
Join us at APA Headquarters on Friday, March 8 for the next @theAPA Educational Series event. This immersive learning experience offers an in-depth exploration of Delirium detection, prevention, and treatment. Secure your spot today!
Be a part of APA's Speakers Bureau
APA is seeking members who are active and engaged in Component activities to be a part of APA's Speaker's Bureau. The Speaker's Bureau is aimed at diversifying and broadening APA's bench of public-facing experts. In addition to traditional media requests, APA has a number of other opportunities available for members who are willing to share their expertise. This includes writing blogs on important mental health topics, providing government testimony, and participation in social media events, like Twitter/X chats, Instagram live, and more.