An investment in better care for early psychosis

The National Institute of Mental Health has awarded $40 million over five years of funding to improve treatment and care for early psychosis. Each year in the U.S., roughly 100,000 young people experience a first episode of psychosis, which can lead to a slew of problems if untreated. Research suggests that an approach called coordinated specialty care — which uses a team of specialists to come up with a recovery-oriented plan for each person — can improve outcomes. The idea has caught on: There are currently more than 260 CSC programs in 49 states. Now, the NIMH is hoping to build on those programs by funding scientific hubs that research how to keep improving care. The agency is also funding a national center tasked with pulling together data from CSC programs across the country.

Correction: While the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations’ probe into cases of lung damage among people who use e-cigarettes was revealed yesterday, the office has been involved in the investigation all along, an official said. An item in Friday’s newsletter got the timing wrong.