title: Disparities in unmet need for mental health services in the United States, 1997-2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study estimated unmet need for mental health services, identified population risk factors related to unmet need, and established baseline data to assess the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
  
  
  METHODS
  National Health Interview Survey data (1997-2010) were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unmet need increased from 4.3 million in 1997 to 7.2 million in 2010. Rates in 2010 were about five times higher for uninsured than for privately insured persons. In a multivariate logistic model, likelihood was higher among children (age two to 17), working-age adults (age 18-64), women, uninsured persons, persons with low incomes, in fair or poor health, and with chronic conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unmet need is widespread, particularly among the uninsured. Expansion of coverage under the ACA, in conjunction with federal parity, should improve access, but ongoing monitoring of access is a research and policy priority.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences, Department of Health Policy and Administration, and College of Nursing, Washington State University, P.O.B. 1495, Spokane, WA 99210, USA. johnroll@wsu.edu
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Roll
authors.forename: Jae
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Donelle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult