Health Status and Health Care Utilization of US Adults Under Probation: 2015–2018

Abstract

<i>Objectives.</i> To compare the health and health care utilization of persons on and not on probation nationally.<i>Methods.</i> Using the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, a population-based sample of US adults, we compared physical, mental, and substance use disorders and the use of health services of persons (aged 18-49 years) on and not on probation using logistic regression models controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, poverty, and insurance status.<i>Results.</i> Those on probation were more likely to have a physical condition (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2, 1.4), mental illness (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 2.1, 2.8), or substance use disorder (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI = 3.8, 4.5). They were less likely to attend an outpatient visit (AOR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.7, 0.9) but more likely to have an emergency department visit (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.6, 2.0) or hospitalization (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.5, 1.9).<i>Conclusions.</i> Persons on probation have an increased burden of disease and receive less outpatient care but more acute services than persons not on probation.<i>Public Health Implications.</i> Efforts to address the health needs of those with criminal justice involvement should include those on probation.