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Racial differences in the utilization of public mental health services in Washington State

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Abstract

This study analyzed racial differences in the use of public outpatient mental health services in four regions of Washington State. Patients in this study were enrolled in the state's mental health management information system, which contains detailed information about patient characteristics and service utilization. There were distinct racial differences with respect to baseline characteristics, and even after adjusting for these characteristics and region of the state as well, racial differences in the type and amount of services used persisted. In particular, African-Americans were more likely to use crisis services and were less likely to use individual or group treatment. This previously reported finding requires further exploration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Washington, USA

    Charles Maynard Ph.D. (Research Scientist)

  2. SmithKline Beecham in Collegeville, PA

    Jenifer Ehreth Ph.D. (Director of Applied Economics)

  3. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, 3937 15th Ave., NE, 98105, Seattle, WA

    Gary B. Cox Ph.D. (Senior Research Scientist)

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, USA

    Paul D. Peterson Ph.D. (Professor)

  5. Seattle VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, USA

    Mary E. McGann M.P.H., M.S.W.

Authors
  1. Charles Maynard Ph.D.
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  2. Jenifer Ehreth Ph.D.
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  3. Gary B. Cox Ph.D.
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  4. Paul D. Peterson Ph.D.
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  5. Mary E. McGann M.P.H., M.S.W.
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Correspondence to Charles Maynard Ph.D..

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Maynard, C., Ehreth, J., Cox, G.B. et al. Racial differences in the utilization of public mental health services in Washington State. Adm Policy Ment Health 24, 411–424 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02042723

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02042723

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