The relationship between socioeconomic variables and major mental illness in the counties of a midwestern state

A total of 77 socioeconomic and demographic variables and 46 indices of bio-psycho-social dysfunction were gathered on each of Minnesota's 87 counties. All of these were expressed in rates per 10,000 population or other standard figures. Various analyses were performed on the data. It was demonstrated that half of the variance in state hospital load was associated with socioeconomic variables. Poor counties showed a higher incidence and prevalence of major mental illness than did wealthier counties. Practical planning can be carried out for future mental health facilities by utilizing population and socioeconomic indices.