Mental health treatment disparities among adults aged 18 or older in the United States, National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2005

In 2005, there were an estimated 11.3% of all adults aged 18 or older in the United States with Serious Psychological Distress (SPD) in the past year. The rates in past year SPD were 7.2% among Asians, 10.7% among blacks, 11.4% among whites, 11.7% among Hispanics, 16.8% among persons reporting two or more races, and 21.1% among American Indians or Alaska Natives. Among the 11.3% of all adults with SPD in 2005, 45.3% received treatment for a mental health problem in the past year. The rates of treatment for mental health problems among adults differed by racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of the research is to assess the factors associated with mental health treatment disparities among adults aged 18 or older between racial/ethnic groups. The data for this research is taken from 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for ages 18 and older. Multivariate weighted logistic regression models are used to assess factors associated with mental health treatment using STATA svy procedure. Logistic regression models provide unadjusted and adjusted results for the relationship between race and mental health treatment controlling for other socio-demographic characteristics. The rates for treatment for adults were 15.1% for whites, 8.9% for blacks and 7.8% for Hispanics. Among adults with SPD in the past year who did not receive treatment and reported an unmet need for treatment, insurance or cost related issues were the most frequently reported reason for not receiving treatment. Treatment disparities exit even after controlling for the effect of insurance.