I. Comparing Use of Public and Private Mental Health Services: The Enduring Barriers of Race and Age

Abstract

Data from the NIMH-Epidemiologic Catchment AreaProject were used to predict differential use of privateversus public outpatient mental health services, asalient concern in integrating public and private services in market-based health care reformefforts. Having a recent psychiatric disorder, being age25-44, female, white, of higher educational level, andunmarried increase the odds of any mental health service use. However, odds of treatment in thepublic sector are increased for males, AfricanAmericans, those with low educational and income levels,and odds are mark edly decreased for the elderly,suggesting significant barriers to care for these mentallyill subpopulations.