Typically, when the news speaks of “healthcare disparity,” it focuses on the differences in the availability and quality of general medical care between varying socioeconomic communities. The gap is often huge and must continue to be addressed. There is, however, a healthcare gap that touches all communities, regardless of economic or cultural makeup – the availability gap between common physical healthcare and mental healthcare.
In healthcare, the disparity between physical and mental health awareness and care is substantial, although steps are being taken in many countries to bridge the gap. The disparity between physical and mental health issue awareness and care exists for numerous reasons, including:
· Social Perception/Stigma: Mental health still carries significant stigma in many societies, which can discourage people from seeking care. In contrast, physical health problems are typically more socially accepted.
· Insurance Coverage: In many countries, insurance coverage for mental health issues is not as comprehensive as it is for physical health problems. This means individuals might not get the necessary mental health care because it's too expensive. Fortunately, this is changing in places like the U.S., where mental health parity laws require health insurers and group health plans to provide the same level of benefits for mental and substance use treatment and services that they do for medical/surgical care.
· Shortage of Necessary Resources: It's often harder to access mental health services than physical health services. This can be due to a shortage of qualified providers, inadequate facilities, or geographic distribution that leaves some areas underserved.
· Research and Funding: Traditionally, more resources have been allocated to researching and treating physical health conditions than mental health ones. This disparity in research funding and focus leads to more effective treatments for physical illnesses than mental ones.
· Preventive Care and Early Detection: Routine checks are often performed for many physical illnesses (like mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopies for colon cancer), but similar preventive measures are not as common for mental health conditions.
· Training of Health Professionals: Many healthcare providers are not as well-trained in mental health care as they are in physical health care. This disparity can result in less-effective treatment for mental health patients.
· Policy and Legislation: While some progress has been made in recent years, mental health policy often lags behind physical health in many countries.
Addressing this disparity requires concerted effort on multiple fronts, from policy changes and insurance reform, to increased funding for mental health services and research, as well as efforts to reduce the social stigma attached to mental health issues and raise awareness of mental health conditions.