Racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care access for seriously mentally ill patients in Southern Arizona

Generally, minorities have lower prevalence rates of mental illnesses; yet, minorities suffer significant disparities in mental health care access.  According to the 2011 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey those with a serious mental illness reported low rates of access for mental health care; only half of White Americans reported receiving mental health care, compared with 1 in 3 Hispanics, and 1 in 4 African Americans.   The purpose of this study was to identify racial and ethnic disparities in mental health services for seriously mentally ill patients at one of the largest acute care psychiatric facilities in Arizona.  Using a retrospective chart review, White American, African American, and Hispanic adults between 18-55 years old, with a primary diagnosis of a serious mental illness and a date of admission during one of two 6-month time periods: Oct. 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 and Oct. 1, 2010-March 31, 2011 were examined to assess differences in cost, length of stay, and number of hospital and emergency department visits.  Differences amongst public mental health benefit patients, Medicaid recipients, and those with no insurance as well as differences across major diagnostic conditions were examined.  African Americans, regardless of psychiatric condition and insurance status, had significantly higher emergency department visits, but lower numbers of hospitalizations, length of stays and costs.  The significance of these results will support the identification of factors that contribute to mental health disparities as well as support the creation of public policies that increase access to care for minority individuals with a serious mental illness.