OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine racial-ethnic disparities in the use of antidepressants among people with private coverage and people with public insurance or no coverage. METHODS: Data were from Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (2006-2010), and logistic regression was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Among persons with depression and private coverage, racial-ethnic minority groups were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic whites to use antidepressants (N=4,468; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]=.33-.66 for non-Hispanic blacks; AOR=.70, CI=.55-.89 for Hispanics). No significant racial-ethnic disparity in the use of antidepressants was found in Medicare (N=1,944), Medicaid (N=2,125), and uninsured populations (N=1,679). For all racial-ethnic groups, persons with no insurance coverage had much lower rates of antidepressant use than their insured counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: A wide racial-ethnic gap in the use of antidepressants existed in private coverage. As the nation continues to implement the Affordable Care Act, which will increase the number of enrollees from racial-ethnic minority groups in private plans, continuing efforts will be needed to reduce racial-ethnic disparities in the use of antidepressants.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine racial-ethnic disparities in the use of antidepressants among people with private coverage and people with public insurance or no coverage. METHODS: Data were from Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (2006-2010), and logistic regression was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Among persons with depression and private coverage, racial-ethnic minority groups were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic whites to use antidepressants (N=4,468; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]=.33-.66 for non-Hispanic blacks; AOR=.70, CI=.55-.89 for Hispanics). No significant racial-ethnic disparity in the use of antidepressants was found in Medicare (N=1,944), Medicaid (N=2,125), and uninsured populations (N=1,679). For all racial-ethnic groups, persons with no insurance coverage had much lower rates of antidepressant use than their insured counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: A wide racial-ethnic gap in the use of antidepressants existed in private coverage. As the nation continues to implement the Affordable Care Act, which will increase the number of enrollees from racial-ethnic minority groups in private plans, continuing efforts will be needed to reduce racial-ethnic disparities in the use of antidepressants.
Authors: Beth Waitzfelder; Christine Stewart; Karen J Coleman; Rebecca Rossom; Brian K Ahmedani; Arne Beck; John E Zeber; Yihe G Daida; Connie Trinacty; Samuel Hubley; Gregory E Simon Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2018-02-08 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Caroline A Presley; Richard O White; Aihua Bian; Jonathan S Schildcrout; Russell L Rothman Journal: J Diabetes Complications Date: 2019-07-15 Impact factor: 2.852
Authors: William C Chen; Lauren Boreta; Steve E Braunstein; Michael W Rabow; Lawrence E Kaplan; Jessica D Tenenbaum; Olivier Morin; Catherine C Park; Julian C Hong Journal: Cancer Date: 2021-09-22 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Kristen Allen-Watts; Andrew M Sims; Taylor L Buchanan; Danica J B DeJesus; Tammie L Quinn; Thomas W Buford; Burel R Goodin; Deanna D Rumble Journal: Front Pain Res (Lausanne) Date: 2022-01-26