Does Race Matter? Access and Service use for Children by Race during 2002

Abstract

Executive Summary The Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health and the supplemental report on Race, Culture and Ethnicity summarized national research on mental health and the treatment of mental disorders. These reports concluded that minorities were much less likely than Caucasians to access behavioral health care and receive high quality treatment, even though minorities and Caucasians have similar rates of mental disorders. These national reports provide the context for Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc.’s (AHCI) analysis of racial disparities in behavioral health services. In 2003, AHCI reported that African-American children and youth enrolled in HealthChoices during 2002 accessed behavioral health services at lower rates than Caucasians. AHCI developed this current report to further explore access and service use patterns by race for children and youth.