Inequalities in Psychiatric Morbidity in Hong Kong and Strategies for Mitigation

Siu-Ming Chan, Linda Chiu-Wa Lam, Wing-Yan Law, Se-Fong Hung, Wai-Chi Chan, Eric Yu-Hai Chen, Gary Ka-Ki Chung, Yat-Hang Chan, Roger Yat-Nork Chung, Hung Wong, Eng-Kiong Yeoh and Jean Woo
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Siu-Ming Chan: CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Linda Chiu-Wa Lam: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Wing-Yan Law: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Se-Fong Hung: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Wai-Chi Chan: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Eric Yu-Hai Chen: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Gary Ka-Ki Chung: CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Yat-Hang Chan: CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Roger Yat-Nork Chung: CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Hung Wong: CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Eng-Kiong Yeoh: CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Jean Woo: CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: This study explores the social gradient of psychiatric morbidity. The Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey (HKMMS), consisting of 5719 Chinese adults aged 16 to 75 years, was used. The Chinese version of the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) was employed for psychiatric assessment of common mental disorders (CMD). People with a less advantaged socioeconomic position (lower education, lower household income, unemployment, small living area and public rental housing) had a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorder. People with lower incomes had worse physical health (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.05–3.82) and greater odds of having CMD in the presence of a family history of psychiatric illnesses (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.18–2.36). Unemployment also had a greater impact for those in lower-income groups (OR 2.67; 95% CI 1.85–3.85), whereas no significant association was observed in high-income groups (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.14–2.17). Mitigating strategies in terms of services and social support should target socially disadvantaged groups with a high risk of psychiatric morbidity. Such strategies include collaboration among government, civil society and business sectors in harnessing community resources.

Keywords: mental morbidity; social gradient; inequality; mental health policy; Hong Kong (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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