Tracking Health Care Access and Mental Health Data During Pandemic

NCHS partnered with the Census Bureau on an experimental data system called the Household Pulse Survey to monitor recent changes in monitor trends in mental health, health insurance coverage, and problems accessing care. This 20-minute online survey was designed to complement the ability of the federal statistical system to rapidly respond and provide relevant information about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.

The data collection period for Phase 1 of the Household Pulse Survey occurred between April 23, 2020 and July 21, 2020. Phase 2 data collection occurred between August 19, 2020 and October 26, 2020.  Phase 3 of the Household Pulse Survey began data collection on October 28, 2020.

Highlights from recent data (February 17-March 1, 2021) in the Household Pulse Survey show:

• Nearly 2 in 5 adults (38.9%) experienced symptoms associated with anxiety disorder and/or depressive disorder in the last 7 days.  This percentage is the lowest since October 2020.
• One in 9 adults (11.9%) said they needed counseling or therapy for their mental health but did not get it in the last 4 weeks.
• More than 3 in 10 adults (31.9%) delayed or did not get needed medical care in the last four weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic; This is a significant decrease from February 3-15 (34.2%).

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/health-care-access-and-mental-health.htm