Disparities in Use of Antipsychotic Medications Among Nursing Home Residents in Arkansas

Pilot work was conducted to determine whether there were racial disparities in the use of second-generation antipsychotic medications in a sample of 2,717 residents of nursing homes in Arkansas in 2001. Chi square analysis and a logistic regression model were used to examine the relationship between residents' race and likelihood of receiving a second-generation antipsychotic. Other independent variables included in the model were age, gender, and the location of the nursing home. The results indicated racial disparities in use of second-generation antipsychotics among the nursing home residents, with African-American residents less likely to receive these medications than residents from other racial or ethnic groups.