The effects of policies and programs on reduction of mental hospitalization

A significant decline in hospitalization rates for mental patients has occured in the last 25 years, but the rate and pace of decline has varied considerably within the U.S. A comparative epidemiological study was designed to understand these variations. Specific policies and programs used in some states were found to be associated with observed patterns of decline in the resident mental hospital population rates for those states. In particular comparison of trends for California and New York in patient rates and in administrative policies provides important information about useful administrative policies and program where the stated policy goal is to reduce the resident population in state and county mental institutions.