Evaluation of Florida Medicaid Behavioral Pharmacy Practice by Racial/Ethnic Minorities Across the Lifespan

Publication Date: 6/1/2006

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Description:

A substantial body of research has documented that racial and ethnic disparities exist in all aspects of psychiatric treatment. Differences are seen in diagnostic designations, treatment practices, and access to mental health services. Racial/ethnic disparities are also seen in the prescription of newer antipsychotic and antidepressant medications. Although medication disparities decreased during the 1990s, the current data indicate that gaps still persist, particularly for African Americans (Blacks). Health care leaders, commercial insurers, and Medicaid administrators realize that in order to improve the quality of care and respond to a more demographically diverse client population, they must understand and reduce racial disparities. Toward this end, our study examined disparities in mental health treatment—specifically, antipsychotic and antidepressant medication use—among Florida's Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI).