A method for estimating underutilization of mental health services by ethnic groups

Most studies of utilization of mental health services by ethnic groups have used parity as a measure of whether members of ethnic groups are receiving a fair share of services. The level of services is assumed to be adequate if the percentage of ethnic group members in the treatment population is the same as the group's percentage in the general population. However, service planning based on achieving parity fails to consider whether some groups have higher levels of need than others. The authors describe a method for more accurately projecting service needs of minority groups based on population data and on sample surveys of needs. The results help define more equitable service goals for all population groups.