Abstract
Objective:
To determine rates of access to and use of health services among adults with Serious Psychological Distress (SPD).
Methods:
Adults ≥ 18 years in the 2007 BRFSS were stratified based on the presence of SPD, assessed by scores ≥ 13 using the Kessler-6 tool (N = 199,209). Access to and use of general and mental health services were compared for those with scores < 13 and those ≥ 13 using Chi-square analyses and logistic regression models.
Results:
Less than half of all adults with SPD indicated receiving mental health treatment. Persons < 65 years and having SPD were significantly less likely to have access to any type of health insurance (0.59 O.R., 0.51–0.68 95% C.I.) compared to persons <65 years without SPD.
Conclusions:
These results present a situation which could potentially lead to increased use of emergency departments for possible non-emergent services. Less than half of adults with SPD were receiving mental health treatment and most, regardless of their SPD score, were receiving routine health checkups; presenting an opportunity to identify and treat many mental health issues in the primary care setting.
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Submitted: 29 August 2008; revised: 06 January 2009; accepted: 14 January 2009
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Pearson, W.S., Dhingra, S.S., Strine, T.W. et al. Relationships between serious psychological distress and the use of health services in the United States: findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Int J Public Health 54 (Suppl 1), 23–29 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0003-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0003-4