Securing better care for mild-to-moderate disorders

This chapter explains that mild-to-moderate disorders are highly prevalent in OECD countries, and widely undertreated. The costs of untreated mild-to-moderate disorders are high, and countries need to strengthen and scale-up treatment for common conditions, such as depression and anxiety. The experiences of some OECD countries suggest that cost-effective treatments are available, but their adoption is not widespread. This chapter looks at ways that existing care delivery, particularly at the primary care level, can be improved. Examples of successful ways of ensuring that organisational and financial incentives align with desired outcomes of care provision for mild-to-moderate disorders are given. The growing range of cost-effective initiatives, particularly initiatives that promote access to psychological therapies, which are highly promising for delivery of better care for mild-to-moderate disorders, are explored.