Racial disparities in access to, or provision of, healthcare may contribute to increased morbidity and mortality rates amongst individuals with serious mental illnesses.1
African American individuals with bipolar disorder have been reported to have higher rates of misdiagnosis and non-diagnosis.1,2
Misdiagnosis may occur due to cultural differences in seeking care and in clinical interpretation of diagnostic information.1 The Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study showed that there was a benefit of using a highly structured diagnostic interview as a source of information to reduce differences in clinical interpretation between individuals of different races and ethnicities.1
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