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Health care access declining in adults with mental health disorders

From 2006 to 2014, health care access and utilization decreased among individuals with serious psychological distress, who cited various problems such as inability to afford medications and delays in care.

“Although our analysis does not give concrete reasons why mental health services are diminishing, it could be from shortages in professional help, increased costs of care not covered by insurance, the great recession, and other reasons worthy of further investigation,” Judith Weissman, PhD, JD, of New York University School of Medicine, said in a press release.

To compare health care access, use and functional indicators among adults with and without serious psychological distress, researchers analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey for 2006 to 2014 (n = 207,853).

Multivariate analysis adjusted for health coverage and sociodemographics indicated adults with serious psychological distress were more likely to be unable to afford medications (adjusted OR = 10) and health care (aOR = 3.1), experience delays in care (aOR = 2.7), visit a clinician 10 or more times in the past year (aOR = 3.2), change usual place of health care (aOR = 1.5), change usual place of health care because of insurance (aOR = 1.5), experience limited daily living activities (aOR = 3.6), and limited ability to work (aOR = 1.8), compared with those without serious psychological distress.

The proportion of adults with serious psychological distress without health care coverage and money to purchase prescriptions increased during the study period.

However, this trend reversed in 2014, according to researchers. Nevertheless, the proportion of participants with serious psychological distress who experienced barriers to care remained higher than 2006 levels.

“Based on our data, we estimate that millions of Americans have a level of emotional functioning that leads to lower quality of life and life expectancy,” Weissman said in the release. “Our study may also help explain why the U.S. suicide rate is up to 43,000 people each year.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.