Access to mental health care in an inner-city health district .2. Association with demographic factors

Background in addition to clinical and service factors, planners need to take account of the influence of demographic variables, especially ethnicity, on access to menial health care. Method Estimated prevalence rates were calculated from epidemiological surveys undertaken in three settings: psychiatric services, primary care and the general population. Associations between demographic factors and service use were examined using the 'pathways to care' model. Results Considerable differences in access to mental health care were found, particularly according to ethnicity. The major impediment to Asi ans accessing care occurred at the interface between primary and secondary care, whereas the most striking feature for Blacks was the poor level of case recognition by GPs. Conclusions In order to improve the uptake of mental health care, new initiatives should target those who are most likely to be unwell but least likely to access services. Purchasers and providers need to address differential patterns of use when developing and reviewing services.