| Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools. |
Comorbidity and Unmet Service Needs Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children With Identified DisabilitiesLouis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida
Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida The comorbidity of health and mental health problems among Medicaid-enrolled children and youth in Florida with a designated health or mental health disability was examined and compared to that of Medicaid-enrolled children with no disability. Slightly higher rates of health problems (42%) were found among children with mental health disabilities compared to the rate of mental health problems (35%) found among children with health disabilities.Within both groups, similar rates (~ 26%) of current comorbid health and mental health problems were found. Regarding health services, less than 1% to 11% of the children experiencing significant health problems were receiving no services, depending on disability group. Rates of unmet mental health needs were higher, ranging from 4% among children with no identified disability to 22% among children with an identified health disability.These data support the need for a comprehensive health policy emphasizing the assessment of all Medicaid-enrolled children with disabilities for comorbid health or mental health problems.
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Vol. 13, No. 1,
43-51 (2005) |
|||