National spending on mental health and substance abuse treatment by age of clients, 1997.
This article examines 1997 national expenditures on mental health and substance abuse (MH/SA) treatment by 3 major age groups: 0-17, 18-64, and 65 and older. Of the total $82.4 billion in MH/SA expenditures, 13% went to children, 72% to adults, and 15% to older adults. MH/SA treatment expenditures made up 9% of total health care expenditures on children, 11% of total health care expenditures on adults, and 3% of total health care expenditures on older adults. Across the 3 age groups, distinct differences emerged in the distribution of MH/SA expenditures by provider-type. For example, about 85% of spending for youth was for specialty MH/SA providers, compared to 76% for adults and 51% for older adults. In addition, 33% of MH/SA spending for older adults went to nursing home care, while other age groups had almost no expenditures in nursing homes. Age-specific estimates enable policymakers, providers, and researchers to design programs and studies more appropriately tailored to specific age groups.
Lewin Group, Falls Church, Va., USA.
Henrick J
HJ
Harwood
Tami L
TL
Mark
David R
DR
McKusick
Rosanna M
RM
Coffey
Edward C
EC
King
James S
JS
Genuardi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000145:classification; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology