ABSTRACT
Consistent evidence spanning different countries and practice settings indi-
cates that individuals with schizophrenia have a shortened life expectancy,
are at higher risk for development of medical conditions that negatively
impact their health, are less likely to receive and benefit from medical treat-
ment, are more likely to experience unfavorable clinical outcomes, and are
more likely to die prematurely1-7. These observations have led investigators to
focus on risk factors that contribute to morbidity and mortality in patients
with schizophrenia, and to more precisely characterize the incidence of
natural and unnatural causes of death.
