Disparities in Access to Health Care Among US-Born and Foreign-Born US Adults by Mental Health Status, 2013-2016.

Abstract

<i>Objectives.</i> To compare access to care between US-born and foreign-born US adults by mental health status. <i>Methods.</i> We analyzed data on nonelderly adults (n = 100 428) from the 2013-2016 National Health Interview Survey. We used prevalence estimates and multivariable logistic regression models to compare issues of affordability and accessibility between US-born and foreign-born individuals. <i>Results.</i> Approximately 22.2% of US-born adults and 18.1% of foreign-born adults had symptoms of moderate to severe psychological distress. Compared with US-born adults with no psychological distress, and after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, US-born and foreign-born adults with psychological distress were much more likely to report multiple emergency room visits and unmet medical care, mental health care, and prescription medications because of cost. <i>Conclusions.</i> Our study found that adults with moderate to severe psychological distress, regardless of their immigration status, were at greater risk for reporting issues of affordability when accessing health care compared with US-born adults with no psychological distress. <i>Public Health Implications.</i> Health care and mental health reforms should focus on reducing health care costs and establishing innovative efforts to broaden access to care to diverse populations.