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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Stephanie Ayers, MA¹, Sam Kim, MA¹, Jemima A. Frimpong, MPH², Patrick Rivers, PhD, MBA³, and Jennie Jacobs Kronenfeld, PhD¹. (1) Sociology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 874802, Tempe, AZ 85287, 480-965-3546, jennie.kronenfeld@asu.edu, (2) Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 3641 Locust Walk, Rm G7, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (3) Health Care Management, College of Applied Sciences & Arts, Southern Illnios University, 1365 Douglas Drive, MAIL CODE 6615, Carbondale, IL 62901-6615

This paper examines states' contribution to the variation in the utilization and need of mental services. Specifically, this research analyzes mental health utilization by focusing on need for mental health services, unmet need of those services, and over utilization of mental health services. The data for this study come from the 2002 National Survey of American Families (NSAF) collected by the Urban Institute. The population included in the survey was noninstitutionalized, civilian adults 18 years of age or older. The total sample size was 28,075. There are five dependent variables in this study. They include need for mental health services, any use of mental health services, unmet need of mental health services, over utilization of mental health services, and intensity of services. There is geographic variation in mental health services across states. Specifically, those states with a high one time use of mental health services will have higher intensity (multiple uses) of mental health visits. Those states with low need for mental health services also have lower unmet need for mental health services. Furthermore, there is an inverse relationship between having an unmet need for mental health services and over utilizing mental health services. No clear relationship was found between need for mental health services and use of mental health services by state. Additionally, there is no clear relationship between use of mental health services and unmet need of mental health services.

Learning Objectives:

• After attending this session, participants will be able to
• • to describe the differences in utilization of mental health services
• • To explain the connections between mental health utilization and geographic variations

Keywords: Mental Health, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered