ABSTRACT
National and international studies have suggested in the past that there are disparities based on the race of the patient for the diagnoses of schizophrenic disorders. The purpose of this study was to look for the same disparities in Louisiana inpatient population based on LAHIDD (Louisiana Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database) data from the years 2000 to 2003. We also looked for co-morbid substance and alcohol-related mental disorders in the same patient population. Our study concluded that for the years 2000-2003, 50.52 % of patients were African American/black as compared to 30.09 % Caucasian/white; 56.73 % were between the ages of 18-44 years, 56.17 % were males and 43.83 % were females; 71.48 % were single. Further research is required to determine the underlying causes for the disparities in the diagnoses of schizophrenic disorders.
