The role of public health in addressing racial and ethnic disparities in mental health and mental illness

Racial/ethnic minority populations are underserved in the American mental health care system. Disparity in treatment between whites and African Americans has increased substantially since the 1990s. Racial/ethnic minorities may be disproportionately affected by limited English proficiency, remote ge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Preventing chronic disease 2010-01, Vol.7 (1), p.A20-A20
Main Authors: Primm, Annelle B, Vasquez, Melba J T, Mays, Robert A, Sammons-Posey, Doreleena, McKnight-Eily, Lela R, Presley-Cantrell, Letitia R, McGuire, Lisa C, Chapman, Daniel P, Perry, Geraldine S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Continental Population Groups - statistics & numerical data
Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data
Healthcare Disparities
Humans
Mental Disorders - epidemiology
Mental Disorders - ethnology
mental health
Mental Health - statistics & numerical data
mental illness
public health
Public Health Administration - methods
racial and ethnic disparities
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Summary:Racial/ethnic minority populations are underserved in the American mental health care system. Disparity in treatment between whites and African Americans has increased substantially since the 1990s. Racial/ethnic minorities may be disproportionately affected by limited English proficiency, remote geographic settings, stigma, fragmented services, cost, comorbidity of mental illness and chronic diseases, cultural understanding of health care services, and incarceration. We present a model that illustrates how social determinants of health, interventions, and outcomes interact to affect mental health and mental illness. Public health approaches to these concerns include preventive strategies and federal agency collaborations that optimize the resilience of racial/ethnic minorities. We recommend strategies such as enhanced surveillance, research, evidence-based practice, and public policies that set standards for tracking and reducing disparities.
ISSN:1545-1151
1545-1151