Behavioral Health, Primary Care Integration, and Social Work’s Role in Improving Health Outcomes in Communities of Color: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: The integration of behavioral health and primary care services may be a way to reduce racial and ethnic inequities in medical and behavioral health care services and outcomes for people of color. We reviewed the evidence pertaining to integrating behavioral health and primary care for people of color and assessed social work’s role and impact on their health outcomes. Method: We systematically searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Social Science Citation Index, and Social Services Abstracts to identify studies of integrated primary and behavioral health care published between 2000 and 2015. English-language publications of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in the United States focusing on people of color were included in our systematic review. Results: Of the 37 RCTs we reviewed, 7 focused on people of color and examined behavioral health integration in primary care and related health and/or health care utilization outcomes. Six of the studies focused on people of color reported social work involvement, and 5 found that integrated care was associated with improved outcomes. Conclusions: Although benefits are associated with integration of behavioral health and primary care, evidence to suggest that integration per se improves health outcomes for people of color remains limited.