Unequal Coverage, Unequal Care: Overlapping Hotspots of Mental Distress and Uninsurance in Minnesota
Department
Computer Science and Cybersecurity
Document Type
Poster
Abstract
This student research project maps where mental health needs and insurance gaps overlap in Minnesota. Using CDC 500 Cities/PLACES data (2019 release; BRFSS 2017), we examined two indicators (Frequent Mental Distress (MHLTH) and Lack of Health Insurance (ACCESS2)) across cities and census tracts. We ranked each measure (higher = worse) and summed ranks to create a simple hotspot score; a sensitivity analysis replaced insurance with Low Annual Checkup (100 − CHECKUP). Results show city-level clustering in St. Paul (MHLTH 12.0%, uninsured 13.6%) and Duluth (12.0%, 10.9%), with Minneapolis (10.7%, 12.3%) and Brooklyn Park (10.3%, 12.8%) close behind. Tract-level findings highlight concentrated hotspots in Minneapolis (e.g., 27053005902, 27053126000) and St. Paul (e.g., 27123032700, 27123033600, 27123033700), where distress and uninsurance rates are both high. Centering equity, these results identify neighborhoods where uninsured residents face compounded barriers suggesting targeted outreach, financial navigation, and rapid-access behavioral health care to close coverage and care gaps.
Publication Date
12-4-2025
Recommended Citation
Goldsmith, D. & Hixon, J. (2025, December 4). Unequal coverage, unequal care: Overlapping hotspots of mental distress and uninsurance in Minnesota [Poster presentation]. Student Research Conference Fall 2025, Saint Paul, MN, United States.https://metroworks.metrostate.edu/student-scholarship/30
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.