Using Digital Technology to Overcome Racial Disparities in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Abstract

Racial inequity in mental health care quality is influenced by many systems-level factors, as elucidated by critical race theory, structural competency, and other keystone frameworks.¹ A growing body of literature also suggests provider-level bias to be a key driver.^1-3 There is specific evidence that racism is an important driver of health inequities among youth⁴ and that it is mediated, in part, by provider-level processes related to diagnosis and treatment.² For example, in child and adolescent psychiatry, youth who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience disproportionate rates of delayed diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, overdiagnosis of conduct disorder, and underdiagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.⁴ Black and multiracial adolescents are at highest risk of suicide,⁵ yet are least likely to receive preventive psychotherapy.⁴.