Twelve-Month Diagnosed Prevalence of Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorders, and Medical Comorbidity in Massachusetts Medicare and Medicaid Members Aged 55 and Over, 2005
This report describes the 12-month diagnosed prevalence of behavioral health disorders (BHDs) among Massachusetts Medicare and Medicaid (MassHealth) members 55 years of age and older during calendar year 2005. Although population-based estimates of prevalence of BHDs among the elderly are available in only a few selected studies, none of them describe Massachusetts. With an expected rise in the number of elderly people with psychiatric disorders, a better understanding of the prevalence of mental illness and addictions in this population is needed to plan for services and supports
