Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Expenditures in the US
JAMA Psychiatry 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2026.3120September 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT
This cross-sectional study found that expenditures on mental health disorders in the US vary widely at the per-person and population levels, but they are consistently low relative to the societal burden of mental disorders. Research that leads to more effective treatments, decreases provision of low-value care, and supports better matching of patients’ impairment with the appropriate level of care could help optimize treatment access while controlling expenditures.
In the US, mental health and substance use disorder expenditures totaled $174 billion in 2021-2023, representing 7.0% of all medical expenditures. Mood disorders and anxiety and fear-related disorders accounted for the largest aggregate spending, while ambulatory services accounted for most mental health expenditures, a pattern relevant to care delivery and resource planning.
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