New Publication Explores Somatic Care in Women with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Hilltop Senior Research Analyst Michael T. Abrams, MPH, is the first author and Hilltop Director of Health Services Policy and Research Cynthia Boddie-Willis, MD, MPH, is a co-author of an article titled Cervical Cancer Screening and Acute Care Visits Among Medicaid Enrollees With Mental and Substance Use Disorders that now is electronically available in pre-print version at the Psychiatric Services website. The article discusses the methodology and findings of a study that compared rates of cervical cancer screening and acute care (primary or gynecological) visits among women enrolled in Maryland’s Medicaid program in 2004-2005 with and without a diagnosis of psychosis, substance use disorder, bipolar disorder or mania, or depression. Researchers found that in Maryland Medicaid, the odds of cancer screening and related acute care visits were greater for women with major mental disorders compared with women in the control group. For women with substance use disorders, however, screening was reduced and acute care visits were similar compared with women in the control group. This work suggests that while women with serious mental disorders in Maryland Medicaid receive preventative somatic care on par with controls, those with substance use disorders (addictions) seem at higher risk for the absence of such care. To view the abstract and access the article, click here. For more information, contact Michael Abrams.

June 7, 2012