Abstract
Background: Contrasting social status of ethnic groups differentially impacts the use of psychiatric services, including in Israel, despite its universal health system. However, relevant studies are limited. Aims: To examine ethnic differences in mental health treatment gap and in access to specialized care. Methods: Data were gathered from two sources. Study I included Mizrahi (Jews of North African/Asian origin, socially disadvantaged, n = 136) and Ashkenazi (Jews of European American origin, socially advantaged, n = 69) who were diagnosed with common mental disorders in the preceding 12 months in the Israeli component of the World Mental Health Survey. Study II included Mizrahi (n = 133) and Ashkenazi (n = 96) service users entering ambulatory mental health care. Results: Study I showed that the treatment gap was larger among Mizrahi compared with Ashkenazi respondents (28% standard error (SE) = 4.1 and 45% SE = 6.2, respectively, sought services) following adjustment for sociodemographic confounders (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-4.8). Study II showed that the access to specialized care lagged over a year among 40% of service users of both ethnic groups. No significant ethnic differences emerged in variables related to delay in accessing care. Conclusions: Treatment gap was larger among ethnically disadvantaged compared with the advantaged group. However, once in treatment, service users of both ethnic groups report similar barriers to care.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 575-583 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | International Journal of Social Psychiatry |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Study I was supported by the Israeli Ministry of Health and Study II was supported by the Israel National Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research (2006/6/א to Nakash).
Funding
Study I was supported by the Israeli Ministry of Health and Study II was supported by the Israel National Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research (2006/6/א to Nakash).
Funders | Funder number |
---|---|
Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research | 2006/6/א |
Ministry of Health, State of Israel |
Keywords
- Treatment gap
- ethnic differences
- mental health
- treatment barriers
- treatment lag