Using Integrated Care to Treat Anxiety Among Latino Populations

Abstract

The growth of the nation's Latino group is estimated to nearly double over the next half century (from 13 to 24%; U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). Most notably, while the total U.S. population increased 10% from 2000 to 2010, the Latino population increased 43 % (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). This growth has taken place at a time when many social service systems are not prepared to address the needs of the culturally pluralistic Latino population. For instance, a significant number of Latinos have relatively high levels of mental health problems and unmet mental health needs (Kessler et al., 1994), contributing to Latinos' overrepresentation among individuals at risk for poor mental health outcomes (e.g., groups with lower socioeconomic status, limited English proficiency) (Derose & Baker, 2000; Ku & Matani, 2001; Vega, Alderete, Kolody, & Aguilar-Gaxiola, 1998). A significant gap exists between the need for and availability of culturally competent mental health services for Latinos. With new health care reform legislation, a unique opportunity exists to enhance the accessibility and quality of mental health services that are available in primary care settings for this population. Latinos in the U.S. experience substantial difficulties in obtaining adequate access to health care (Alegria et al., 2002) and mental health services (Blanco et al., 2007; Center for Mental Health Services, 2000), and overall are underrepresented in mental health settings (e.g., Vega, Kolody, Aguilar-Gaxiola, & Catalano, 1999). Many Latinos seeking services for psychological problems tend to do so from their primary care providers, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate integrated care in this setting. Developing culturally competent integrated care models has the potential to significantly decrease disparities in access to and quality of behavioral health services among the Latino population in the U.S. The chief goal of this chapter is to examine how cultural considerations can be applied to evidence-based interventions for anxiety in an integrated care setting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)