The following is a summary of “Examining PTSD Prevalence Among Underserved Populations in the Integrated Community Mental Health Setting 2019 to 2022,” published in the November 2024 issue of Primary Care by Jones et al.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) prevalence has risen since COVID-19, disproportionately affecting females, minorities, and those with social risks.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study on PTSD prevalence from 2019 to 2022 in safety-net health centers. The results showed a significant increase among high-risk groups.
They analyzed electronic health records of patients with ≥1 behavioral health visit from 2019 to 2022, using cross-sectional data to track trends. PTSD prevalence changes were assessed with a general linear mixed model adjusted for patient factors.
The results showed 182,419 patients received PTSD care over 4 years, with prevalence rising from 2019 to 2022 (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.10). Females (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.78, 1.84), LGBTQIA individuals (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.26, 1.33), gender-diverse individuals (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.29, 1.42), and those with social health needs (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.46, 1.57) had higher PTSD likelihood.
They observed increased PTSD prevalence in safety-net health centers, with significant disparities in subpopulations. They emphasized the need for targeted efforts to address these gaps.
Source: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/21501319241291751
