2.3% of Black or Hispanic Children Received Mental Healthcare

The International Journal of Health Services recently published a study on racial disparities in mental healthcare for children. Here are some key findings from the report:

·         11-12% of white and black children needed mental health care, while 7% of Hispanic children did.

·         5.7% of white children and young adults were likely to see a mental health specialist in a given year.

·         Approximately 2.3% of black or Hispanic young people were likely to see a mental health specialist.

·         Black and Hispanic children had 130 fewer visits per thousand subjects than their white counterparts.

·         Black young adults visited a mental health specialist about 280 fewer times per thousand.

·         Hispanics had 244 fewer visits per thousand than white young adults.

Source: International Journal of Health Services, August 12, 2016