The Prevalence of Physical and Mental Health Multimorbidity Among People Held in U.S. Jails.

Abstract

American jails process millions of bookings each year, and prior research has documented high rates of mental and physical ailments among people held in jails. The existing literature, however, provides only minimal insight into the occurrence of multiple health conditions. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of physical and mental health multimorbidity among people held in jails in the United States. Using a nationally representative sample of responses to the National Inmate Survey, 2011-2012 (N = 5,494), we analyzed reports of physical health conditions, mental health conditions, and disabilities among people in local jails. Prevalence of two or more conditions was 28.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27.3%, 29.7%) for mental health, 55.5% (95% CI = 54.2%, 56.8%) for physical health, and 15.5% (95% CI = 14.6%, 16.5%) for disabilities. At least one condition across all three health domains was estimated at 29.4% (95% CI = 28.2%, 30.6%). Prevalence of two or more co-occurring conditions without regard for domain was 76.9% (95% CI = 75.8%, 78.0%). Rates were consistently higher among women than among men. Jailed people show a high rate of co-occurring mental and physical health conditions.