NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 206 ■ June 2015

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in

 Men’s Use of Mental Health Treatments

Stephen J. Blumberg, Ph.D.; Tainya C. Clarke, Ph.D.; and Debra L. Blackwell, Ph.D.

Key findings

Data from the National 

Health Interview Survey, 

2010–2013

● Nearly 9% of men (8.5%) 

had daily feelings of anxiety 

or depression. Less than onehalf of them (41.0%) took 

medication for these feelings or 

had recently talked to a mental 

health professional.

● Racial and ethnic differences 

were observed only for men 

aged 18–44.

● Among men aged 18–44,

non-Hispanic black and 

Hispanic men (6.1%) were 

less likely than non-Hispanic 

white men (8.5%) to report 

daily feelings of anxiety or 

depression.

● Among men aged 18–44 who 

had daily feelings of anxiety or 

depression, non-Hispanic black 

and Hispanic men (26.4%) were 

less likely than non-Hispanic 

white men (45.4%) to have used 

mental health treatments.

● The significant racial and 

ethnic disparity in treatment 

utilization was associated 

with lack of health insurance 

coverage.

Compared with white Americans, persons of other races in the United States 

are less likely to have access to and receive needed mental health care (1–4). 

Few studies, however, have explored such disparities specifically among men. 

Mental health and treatment have traditionally received less attention for 

men than women, perhaps because men are less likely than women to report 

mental health problems and to receive services for these problems (4–7). 

This report uses nationally representative data on frequency of mental health 

symptoms and related treatment utilization to compare men of color (that is, 

non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men) with non-Hispanic white men. It also 

explores whether racial and ethnic disparities differ by age, health insurance 

coverage status, and income.

Keywords: men’s health • behavioral health • anxiety • depression

Nearly 9% of U.S. men reported daily feelings of anxiety or 

depression, but the rate differed by race and ethnicity. 

Figure 1. Men aged 18 and over with daily feelings of anxiety or depression, by race and ethnicity:

United States, 2010–2013

1

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2010–2013.

All races and ethnicities Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic

7.7

3.5

8.5 1

8.2

1

3.8

1

9.0

6.6

2.9

7.3

0

2

4

6

8

10

Daily feelings of anxiety Daily feelings of

depression

Daily feelings of anxiety

or depression

Percent
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 206 ■ June 2015

■  2  ■

Among all men aged 18 and over, 7.7% had daily feelings of anxiety, 3.5% had daily feelings 

of depression, and 8.5% felt either anxious or depressed every day (Figure 1). However, nonHispanic black and Hispanic men (7.3%) were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic white 

men (9.0%) to feel anxious or depressed every day. 

Racial and ethnic differences in daily feelings of anxiety or depression were 

observed only for men aged 18–44. 

Men aged 18–44 (7.6%) were significantly less likely than men aged 45 and over (9.4%) to have 

daily feelings of anxiety or depression (Figure 2). This difference was due largely to racial and 

ethnic differences in the younger age group. Among those aged 18–44, non-Hispanic black and 

Hispanic men (6.1%) were nearly 30% less likely than non-Hispanic white men (8.5%) to have 

daily feelings of anxiety or depression. Among men aged 45 and over, there were no racial or 

ethnic differences in the prevalence of men with daily feelings of anxiety or depression. 

Figure 2. Men aged 18 and over with daily feelings of anxiety or depression, by age and race and ethnicity: United States, 

2010–2013

1

Significantly different from men aged 45 and over in the same race and ethnicity group.

2

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men in the same age group.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2010–2013.

1

7.6

9.4

2

8.5

9.4

1

6.1

9.2

0

2

4

6

8

10

18–44 45 and over

Percent

All races and ethnicities Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic

Age group (years)
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 206 ■ June 2015

■  3  ■

About 4 in 10 men with daily feelings of anxiety or depression took 

medication for these feelings or talked to a mental health professional, but 

the rate differed by race and ethnicity.

One in three men (33.0%) with daily feelings of anxiety or depression took medication for 

those feelings, and just over one-quarter (25.7%) talked to a mental health professional within 

the previous 12 months (Figure 3). Among men with daily feelings of anxiety or depression, 

non-Hispanic white men (43.0%) were more likely than non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men 

(36.0%) to have used either of these mental health treatments. 

Figure 3. Men who used selected types of mental health treatments, among men aged 18 and over who felt anxious or 

depressed every day, by race and ethnicity: United States, 2010–2013

1

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2010–2013. Percent

All races and ethnicities Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic

33.0

25.7

41.0

34.4

1

27.4

1

43.0

29.6

21.5

36.0

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Took medication for those

feelings

Talked to a mental health

professional in past 12 months

Took medication or talked to

a mental health professional
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 206 ■ June 2015

■  4  ■

Racial and ethnic differences in the use of mental health treatments by men 

with daily feelings of anxiety or depression were observed only for men 

aged 18–44. 

Among men who felt anxious or depressed on a daily basis, younger men aged 18–44 (39.2%) 

were as likely as older men aged 45 and over (42.3%) to have taken medication for these feelings 

or to have seen a mental health professional in the previous 12 months (Figure 4). However, racial 

and ethnic differences in the use of mental health treatments were observed among men aged 

18–44 with daily feelings of anxiety or depression. In this age group, non-Hispanic black and 

Hispanic men (26.4%) were about 40% less likely than non-Hispanic white men (45.4%) to have 

used mental health treatments. Race and ethnicity were not associated with use of mental health 

treatments among men aged 45 and over with daily feelings of anxiety and depression. 

Figure 4. Men who took medication or talked to a mental health professional, among men aged 18 and over who felt 

anxious or depressed every day, by age and race and ethnicity: United States, 2010–2013

1

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men in the same age group.

2

Significantly different from men aged 45 and over in the same race and ethnicity group.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2010–2013.

All races and ethnicities Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic

Percent

39.2

42.3

1

45.4

41.3

226.4

46.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

18–44 45 and over

Age group (years)
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 206 ■ June 2015

■  5  ■

Among men aged 18–44, racial and ethnic differences in the use of 

mental health treatments were significantly greater for men without health 

insurance coverage than for men with health insurance. 

Among uninsured men aged 18–44 with daily feelings of anxiety or depression, non-Hispanic 

white men (39.3%) were three times as likely as non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men (12.7%) 

to have used mental health treatments (Figure 5). This disparity was significantly smaller for men 

aged 18–44 who had health insurance coverage. In fact, among insured men aged 18–44 with 

daily feelings of anxiety or depression, no statistical difference was observed between the racial 

and ethnic groups in the use of mental health treatments. 

In contrast, racial and ethnic disparities in use of mental health treatments were observed 

regardless of family income. Among men aged 18–44 who felt anxious and depressed every day, 

non-Hispanic white men were 1.7 to 2.0 times as likely as non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men 

to have taken medication or talked to a mental health professional.

Figure 5. Men who took medication or talked to a mental health professional, among men aged 18–44 who felt anxious or 

depressed every day, by health insurance coverage status, income, and race and ethnicity: United States, 2010–2013

*Figure does not meet standards of reliability or precision; estimate has a relative standard error of 35% (95% confidence interval: 6.2%–24.3%). 1

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men.

NOTE: FPL is federal poverty level.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2010–2013.

Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic

1

39.3

48.4

1

51.2

1

40.8

*12.7

38.7

30.5

19.7

Uninsured Insured Income less than

200% FPL

Income at or above

200% FPL

Percent

Health insurance coverage status

Annual family income relative to federal

poverty level

0

10

20

30

40

50

60
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 206 ■ June 2015

■  6  ■

Summary 

Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men were less likely than non-Hispanic white men to report 

having daily feelings of anxiety or depression, and this disparity was due to significant differences 

among younger men aged 18–44. This finding may seem to contradict other research revealing 

that rates of serious psychological distress (6) and depressive symptoms (7) are higher among 

Hispanic and non-Hispanic black persons than among non-Hispanic white persons. However, the 

findings in this report are based on a different measure of mental health symptoms (reported daily 

feelings) that considers frequency but not intensity of feelings. The findings in this report are also 

based on a different population (men only).

Younger men of color who reported daily feelings of anxiety or depression were less likely than 

their non-Hispanic white peers to take medication or talk to a mental health professional. This 

difference in treatment use was not observed for older men. Among the younger men, the racial 

and ethnic difference in treatment use was observed regardless of income.

Racial and ethnic differences in men’s mental health treatment use appear to be driven by 

differences among younger uninsured men. The survey data cannot be used to determine if 

young men of color without health insurance, relative to young uninsured non-Hispanic white 

men, perceive less need for treatment, are less motivated to seek treatment, experience additional 

non-cost barriers when attempting to access mental health treatments, or more quickly stop using 

treatments that do not seem to be working. In focus groups, young men of color were particularly 

likely to say that mental illness and treatment seeking are signs of weakness and can bring shame 

and embarrassment to one’s self and family (8). Yet having health insurance coverage appeared to 

reduce the impact of such barriers; the observed racial and ethnic difference in treatment use was 

significantly smaller for younger insured men. Recent expansions of health insurance coverage 

may consequently reduce these racial and ethnic disparities.

Definitions

Daily feelings of anxiety or depression: Based on responses to the survey questions, “How often 

do you feel worried, nervous, or anxious?” and “How often do you feel depressed?” Answer 

choices were daily, weekly, monthly, a few times a year, or never.

Mental health treatments: Based on responses to the survey questions, “Do you take medication 

for these feelings?” and “During the past 12 months, have you seen or talked to any of the 

following health care providers about your own health ... A mental health professional such as a 

psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or clinical social worker?” 

Family income relative to federal poverty level: Based on family income, family size, and age 

using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds for the previous calendar year. Imputed 

income files were used when income was missing.

Health insurance coverage status: Insured men include those who, at the time of interview, had 

any private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, a statesponsored or other government-sponsored health plan, or a military plan. Men were defined 

as uninsured if they did not have any of these coverage types, had only Indian Health Service 

coverage, or had only a private plan that paid for one type of service, such as accidents or dental 

care.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 206 ■ June 2015

■  7  ■

Race and ethnicity: Ethnicity refers to Hispanic or Latino origin, and persons of Hispanic or 

Latino origin may be of any race. For conciseness, this report used shorter versions of the 1997 

Office of Management and Budget terms for Hispanic or Latino origin and race. For example, the 

category “not Hispanic or Latino, white, single race” is referred to as “non-Hispanic white.” 

Data source and methods

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a multipurpose cross-sectional health survey 

that is fielded continuously by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National 

Center for Health Statistics. Interviews are conducted in respondent’s homes, with telephone 

follow-up permitted if necessary. Analyses in this report were based on mental health and 

medication use data collected from a combined sample of 21,058 men aged 18 and over as part of 

the 2010 Quality of Life (QOL) and the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Adult Functioning and Disability 

(AFD) supplements to NHIS. Demographic and other health information (including contact with 

mental health professionals) were collected in the Household, Sample Adult Core, and Family 

Core components of NHIS. The QOL and AFD supplements were administered for a random 

subsample of NHIS sample adult respondents. For more information about NHIS, visit its website 

at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

Sampling weights were used to produce national estimates that are representative of the civilian 

noninstitutionalized U.S. population aged 18 and over (9). Point estimates and statistical tests 

were calculated using SUDAAN software version 11.0 (RTI International, Research Triangle 

Park, N.C.) to account for the complex sample design of NHIS. Calculations excluded persons 

with unknown information. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine if the observed 

disparities with non-Hispanic white men differed for non-Hispanic black men relative to Hispanic 

men. No significant differences were observed, so estimates for non-Hispanic white men were 

compared with pooled estimates for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men. Estimates reported 

for all men (“all races and ethnicities”) include men with races and ethnicities other than nonHispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic. All comparisons were evaluated for statistical 

significance at the 0.05 level using two-sided tests.

Analyses of treatment use did not include the 4.6% of men who took medication for anxiety or 

depression but did not experience these feelings daily, perhaps as a result. The prevalence of 

medication use in the absence of daily feelings was lower for men of color (2.7%) relative to nonHispanic white men (5.6%), and this difference did not vary by age or health insurance coverage 

status. Therefore, if the analyses in this report had included these men, treatment rates generally 

would have been higher, but all observed racial and ethnic differences would still be significant 

and the conclusions would not have changed.

About the authors

Stephen J. Blumberg, Tainya C. Clarke, and Debra L. Blackwell are with CDC’s National Center 

for Health Statistics, Division of Health Interview Statistics.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 206 ■ June 2015

References

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Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders 

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6. Weissman J, Pratt LA, Miller EA, Parker JD. Serious psychological 

distress among adults: United States, 2009–2013. NCHS data brief, no 203. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015.

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2009–2012. NCHS data brief, no 172. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for 

Health Statistics. 2014.

8. Thompson VLS, Bazile A, Akbar M. African Americans’ perceptions of 

psychotherapy and psychotherapists. Professional psychology: Research and 

practice 35(1):19–26. 2004.

9. Parsons VL, Moriarity C, Jonas K, et al. Design and estimation for the 

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Suggested citation 

Blumberg SJ, Clarke TC, Blackwell DL. 

Racial and ethnic disparities in men’s use of 

mental health treatments. NCHS data brief, 

no 206. Hyattsville, MD: National Center 

for Health Statistics. 2015. 

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics 

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Nathaniel Schenker, Ph.D., Deputy Director 

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate

Director for Science

Division of Health Interview Statistics

Marcie L. Cynamon, Acting Director

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