TY - JOUR AU - J. M. Roll AU - J. Kennedy AU - M. Tran AU - D. Howell A1 - AB - OBJECTIVES 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. BT - Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) C5 - Healthcare Disparities; Healthcare Policy; Financing & Sustainability CP - 1 CY - United States DO - 10.1176/appi.ps.201200071 IS - 1 JF - Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) N2 - OBJECTIVES 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. PP - United States PY - 2013 SN - 1557-9700; 1075-2730 SP - 80 EP - 82 EP - T1 - Disparities in unmet need for mental health services in the United States, 1997-2010 T2 - Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) TI - Disparities in unmet need for mental health services in the United States, 1997-2010 U1 - Healthcare Disparities; Healthcare Policy; Financing & Sustainability U2 - 23280460 U3 - 10.1176/appi.ps.201200071 VL - 64 VO - 1557-9700; 1075-2730 Y1 - 2013 ER -