Title : Comparative analysis of substance use disorders in youth by race: A national database study
Abstract:
Background: Substance use disorders represent a significant public health issue among adolescents and young adults in the United States. Racial disparities in health care and outcomes have been well-documented across various conditions, yet limited literature specifically addresses the differences in hospital admissions for youth with mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use in different racial groups. This study aims to explore these disparities among White and other racial groups (Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American) in individuals aged 21 years and under.
Methods: Data from the NIS database was analyzed spanning across 3 years from 2018 to 2020, focusing on patients 21 years old and under with ICD10 codes F10.xx-F19.xx. A total of 127,097 discharge cases were categorized into White (N=53,876) and Non-White (N=73,221). Variables analyzed included age at admission, sex, type of admission (elective vs non-elective), primary expected payer, urban-rural location, and the median household income quartile for patient ZIP codes. Normality of continuous variables was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square analysis were used to assess the significance of differences between groups (P<.05).
Results: The median age at admission was 19 years old (IQR 18-20) for both the White and non-White group. Mean age 18.62 vs 18.73 (P<.001) years. Length of stay median 3 (IQR 2-5) vs 3 (IQR 2-6) mean 4.71 vs 5.28 (P<.001) days. A larger proportion of the non-White group had non-elective admissions (P<.001) and were more likely to be located in urban areas (P<.001). Additionally, the non-White group was more likely to reside in lower-income areas as indicated by the median household income national quartile (P<.001).
Conclusions: These findings suggest notable differences in the characteristics of hospital admissions for substance use disorders among racial groups, which can be used to tailor interventions toward reducing mean length of stay, identifying reasons for non-elective admissions, and identifying barriers to care in low-income areas to help reduce the gap between racial groups.
Audience Takeaway Notes:
- The audience will learn about the significant differences in hospital admission characteristics for substance use disorders among various racial groups, with a focus on youth aged 21 years and under.
- The audience will gain insight into how factors such as the type of admission (elective vs. non-elective), urban vs. rural location, and median household income impact hospital admissions for substance use disorders among different racial groups.
- The research equips healthcare administrators and public health officials with data-driven insights to make informed decisions about resource allocation, intervention strategies, and policy development to reduce healthcare disparities.
- The findings provide a clear framework for designing targeted public health interventions, simplifying the process of addressing specific disparities and improving healthcare access for underrepresented groups.
