American journal of preventive medicine
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Nationally, mental illness prevalence is comparable among Native Americans and Whites experiencing alcohol and nicotine use disorders. However, authors are concerned that mental illness in Native Americans with substance use disorders may be disparately underdiagnosed in medical settings. For 3 states with large Native American populations, this study compares the prevalence of mental illness diagnoses among Native Americans and Whites hospitalized with alcohol/nicotine use disorders. ⋯ Findings suggest disparate underdiagnosis of mental illness among Native Americans hospitalized with alcohol/nicotine use disorders in the examined states.