142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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299549
Disparities in mental health service use among Latinos by place of origin

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

Sungkyu Lee, PhD , College of Social Work, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN
Mary Held, PhD , College of Social Work, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Nashville, TN
Background and purpose: Little is known about disparities in mental health service use among Latinos by place of origin, which is a key component of diversity due to its association with their unique immigration histories and social characteristics. To fill the gap in the literature, this study examined the extent to which the place of origin is associated with mental health service utilization among Latinos.

Methods:  Data were obtained from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). The sample for this study consisted of 1727 Latino adults (ages 18-64), including Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans. In terms of service type, specialty mental health services, general medical services, and other services were examined. Guided by the Andersen’s behavioral model of health service utilization, logistic regression models were conducted.

Results: Although over one-fifth of the sample reported that they had any psychiatric disorders, only 10% reported that they received any mental health services in a given year. Overall, Cubans were less likely to use any mental health services when compared to their Puerto Rican counterparts (OR=.54, CI=.30-.96, p<.05). Having a psychiatric disorder increased mental health service use for all service types, but its effect on specialty care was greater among Cubans than among Puerto Ricans (interaction effect; OR=5.17, CI=1.24-21.44, p<.05).

Conclusions: Study findings suggest that there are differences both in rates of mental health service use and its associated factors among Latino subgroups. Mental health professionals should provide tailored outreach and services to these vulnerable populations that underutilize mental health services.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture

Learning Objectives:
Define the extent to which place of origin is associated with mental health service utilization among Latinos Discuss implications for mental health professionals in working with vulnerable Latino population

Keyword(s): Health Care Access, Health Disparities/Inequities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal investigator of a study on Latino immigration and have conducted multiple secondary data analyses on Latino immigration. Among my scientific interests has been access to and utilization of mental health providers by the Latino population, as well as the use of integrated health care to address mental health disparities. Additionally, I have substantial practice experience with Latinos as a mental health service provider.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3204.0: Poster session: Health disparities