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Comparative Study
. 2003 May;93(5):792-7.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.5.792.

Racial/ethnic disparities in the use of mental health services in poverty areas

Julian Chun-Chung Chow  1 , Kim Jaffee, Lonnie Snowden
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Racial/ethnic disparities in the use of mental health services in poverty areas

Julian Chun-Chung Chow et al. Am J Public Health. 2003 May.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined racial/ethnic disparities in mental health service access and use at different poverty levels.

Methods: We compared demographic and clinical characteristics and service use patterns of Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians living in low-poverty and high-poverty areas. Logistic regression models were used to assess service use patterns of minority racial/ethnic groups compared with Whites in different poverty areas.

Results: Residence in a poverty neighborhood moderates the relationship between race/ethnicity and mental health service access and use. Disparities in using emergency and inpatient services and having coercive referrals were more evident in low-poverty than in high-poverty areas.

Conclusions: Neighborhood poverty is a key to understanding racial/ethnic disparities in the use of mental health services.

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