Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

12-2023

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Epidemiology

First Committee Member

Nicole Kolm-Valdivia

Second Committee Member

Patrick Maloney

Third Committee Member

Anthony Blake

Abstract

Objectives

Determine if there is a direct relationship between frequent mental distress and health insurance coverage.

Methods

Data from the 2022 BRFSS was used to calculate adjusted percentages. Crude odds ratios for both mental distress and insurance coverage. Multivariate analysis calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios for frequent mental distress by insurance coverage with income as a covariate.

Results

Individuals reporting frequent mental distress had lower income, less education, and were younger. Individuals without health insurance were more likely to be younger, Hispanic, and not have graduated high school. There was no significant association between frequent mental distress and not having insurance when other demographic characteristics were considered. There was a significant interaction between income and health insurance coverage status.

Conclusions

Increasing rates of insurance coverage to decrease the rates of frequent mental distress will not be successful without consideration for other risk factors. Other characteristics have a stronger influence on frequent mental distress than insurance status.

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