Removing Obstacles To Eliminating Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Behavioral Health Care
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Despite decades of research, racial and ethnic disparities in behavioral health care persist. The Affordable Care Act expanded access to behavioral health care, but many reform initiatives fail to consider research about racial/ethnic minorities. Mistaken assumptions that underlie the expansion of behavioral health care run the risk of replicating existing service disparities. Based on a review of relevant literature and numerous observational and field studies with minority populations, we identified the following three mistaken assumptions: Improvement in health care access alone will reduce disparities, current service planning addresses minority patients' preferences, and evidence-based interventions are readily available for diverse populations. We propose tailoring the provision of care to remove obstacles that minority patients face in accessing treatment, promoting innovative services that respond to patients' needs and preferences, and allowing flexibility in evidence-based practice and the expansion of the behavioral health workforce. These proposals should help meet the health care needs of a growing racial/ethnic minority population.
Source: Health Affairs
Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: UPR-CHA Research Center of Excellence: Making a Difference for Latino Health, G2732852676, G284424322, Advanced Center for Latino and MH Systems Research, Building Community Capacity for Disability Prevention for Minority Elders, Effects of Social Context, Culture and Minority Status on Depression and Anxiety, NLAAS II: Unraveling Differences for Clinical Services, International Latino Research Partnership (ILRP)
OpenAlex ID: W2416464179