Publication Date
1-1-2022
Journal
Kansas Journal of Medicine
DOI
10.17161/kjm.vol15.15745
PMID
35106118
PMCID
PMC8765506
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
1-11-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
depressive disorder, cardiovascular disease, medication adherence, health surveys, mental health
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Poor mental health is associated with worse outcomes for chronic diseases. It is unclear whether mental illness predisposes to difficulties with healthcare access.
METHODS: Using a combined dataset of the 2016-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, this study focused on individuals who reported a chronic cardiovascular condition. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between domains of mental health and measures of healthcare access including delaying medical care, more than one year since last routine checkup, lack of a primary care physician, and cost-related medication nonadherence.
RESULTS: Among 1,747,397 participants, 27% had a chronic cardiovascular condition, 12% had clinical depression, and 12% had poor mental health. Those with poor mental health (OR 3.20 [3.08 - 3.33]) and clinical depression (OR 2.43 [2.35 - 2.52]) were more likely to report delays in medical care. Those with greater stress frequency (OR 8.47 [6.84 - 10.49] stressed all of the time), lower levels of emotional support received (OR 3.07 [2.21 - 4.26] rarely get needed emotional support), and greater life dissatisfaction (6.66 [4.14 - 10.70] very dissatisfied) reported greater delays in medical care.
CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with poor mental health have greater difficulty accessing medical care independent of socioeconomic variables.
Included in
Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons, Cardiology Commons, Cardiovascular Diseases Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons