Recent studies have suggested that individuals with mental health conditions experience higher morbidity and mortality than individuals without mental disorders (Colton and Manderscheid, 2006; Osborn et al., 2007). Improving health outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions may require that providers, policymakers, and insurers pay particular attention to the primary care provided to these individuals. High-quality primary care means having a usual source of care and receiving appropriate preventive care, including routine physical examinations and recommended screenings. Some studies suggest that women with mental health conditions receive preventive care at lower rates than women without mental health conditions
