How do people who perceive poor mental health experience and navigate healthcare systems globally? Data from 32,419 adults in Argentina and 17 other high-, middle-, and low-income countries (in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia), collected between 2022 and 2023 through the global survey People's Voice SurveyThese studies reveal that the prevalence of self-reported poor or fair mental health ranged from 4,7% in Nigeria to 39,6% in China, with no correlation to countries' income levels. The studies also found that reporting poor mental health increases the likelihood of reporting chronic illnesses (41,8% versus 23,8%), worse overall health (69,6% versus 19,9%), lower patient activation (the ability to manage one's own health and ask questions of the doctor), lower quality of care, more unmet needs, and less confidence in being able to obtain and pay for quality care.
Why it matters:
People who report poor mental health have markedly different health profiles and experiences within the healthcare system. The study's findings “should prompt healthcare systems to reassess their services to better serve this growing patient population. Comparing user experience and quality over time and across countries with similar healthcare systems can help evaluate performance,” Krum and colleagues concluded.
Authors and journal:
Kruk ME, Kapoor NR, Arsenault C, Carai S, Daray FM, Doubova SV, Ettman CK, Garcia PJ, Getachew T, Garcia-Elorrio E, Lenze EJ, Lewis TP, Mazzoni A, Medina-Ranilla J, Mohan S, Naidoo I, Oh J, Okiro EA, Pate M, Rondon MB, Tarricone R, Wang X, Cavazos-Rehg P. Health system use and experience among people with poor mental health: A cross-sectional analysis of the People's Voice Survey in 18 countries. PLoS Med. 2026 May 5;23(5):e1004745. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004745.
Publication Delivery – July 2026 Edition