Racial Disparities in Mental Health Care Needs Among Older Americans
Author Information
Author(s): Li Chien-Ching, Yen Pei-Shan, Chen Yi-Fan, Matthews Alicia
Hypothesis
Are there racial disparities in unmet needs for mental health care among older Americans in New York?
Conclusion
The study found that racial and ethnic minorities, particularly non-Hispanic Blacks and Asian/Pacific Islanders, have higher unmet needs for mental health care compared to non-Hispanic Whites.
Supporting Evidence
- Racial and ethnic differences in mental health problems have been widely discussed.
- Older Americans face access barriers to mental health care.
- Individuals in the other non-Hispanic group were more likely to report unmet needs.
- Non-Hispanic Blacks and Asian/Pacific Islanders had a higher likelihood of unmet needs compared to Whites.
- Older individuals without a personal doctor had a higher likelihood of unmet needs.
Takeaway
This study shows that older people from different races may not get the mental health help they need, especially if they don't have a personal doctor or live in poorer neighborhoods.
Methodology
Data from the New York City Community Health Survey (2012-2020) was analyzed, focusing on participants aged 50 and older.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 50 years and older from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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