Comisionado Residente: Puerto Rico merece ser visto en los datos nacionales de salud mental

WASHINGTON, D.C. — El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández presentó el Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act (H.R. 6030), una medida que busca incluir a Puerto Rico en la Encuesta Nacional sobre el Uso de Drogas y la Salud (NSDUH, por sus siglas en inglés). Esta es la fuente principal del gobierno federal para recopilar datos a nivel nacional sobre el consumo de drogas, así como sobre trastornos por uso de sustancias y condiciones de salud mental.

“Durante demasiado tiempo, Puerto Rico ha estado excluido de los datos que impulsan las decisiones nacionales de salud pública”, expresó el Comisionado Residente Hernández. “Si realmente queremos enfrentar los retos de la adicción, la salud mental y el abuso de sustancias, nuestra isla no puede seguir siendo invisible en las estadísticas que determinan los fondos y recursos. Este proyecto se trata de justicia y de asegurar que las necesidades de Puerto Rico se atiendan como parte del panorama nacional.”

ANTECEDENTES

Actualmente, la Encuesta Nacional sobre el Uso de Drogas y la Salud (NSDUH) ofrece estimaciones estatales cada dos años que orientan la formulación de políticas públicas, la asignación de recursos y las intervenciones de salud pública a nivel federal y local.

Sin embargo, Puerto Rico no está incluido en esta recopilación de datos, lo que genera una brecha significativa en la comprensión nacional de las tendencias de salud conductual en uno de los territorios más poblados y diversos de Estados Unidos. La ausencia de datos específicos de la isla dificulta que las autoridades, las agencias de salud y las organizaciones comunitarias puedan identificar necesidades, obtener fondos y desarrollar respuestas efectivas basadas en evidencia frente a los retos del uso de sustancias y la salud mental.

El proyecto de ley Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act enmienda la Ley de Servicio de Salud Pública (Public Health Service Act) para requerir la inclusión de Puerto Rico en la NSDUH a partir del año fiscal 2026. Al cerrar esta brecha histórica, la legislación permitirá que los responsables de políticas públicas y los profesionales de la salud desarrollen estrategias más precisas y basadas en datos, promoviendo un enfoque nacional más equitativo en materia de salud conductual. El Comisionado Residente Hernández presentó esta legislación junto a los Representantes Don Beyer (VA-08), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Dan Goldman (NY-10) y Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).

Resident Commissioner Hernández: Puerto Rico Deserves to Be Seen in the Nation’s Mental Health Data

Hernández bill would ensure Puerto Rico’s communities are no longer left out of key federal data used to shape national public health policy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández, introduced the Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act (H.R.6030), legislation that would include Puerto Rico in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the federal government’s primary source of nationwide data on drug use, as well as substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

“For too long, Puerto Rico has been excluded from the data that drives national public health decisions,” said Resident Commissioner Hernández. “If we are serious about tackling addiction, mental health, and substance abuse, then our island cannot remain invisible in the statistics that determine funding and resources. This bill is about fairness and making sure Puerto Rico’s needs are addressed as part of the national picture.”

"When Puerto Rico is not included in commonly used federal data systems—something that currently occurs in 47% of them—it challenges our ability to accurately understand the needs of our population. The absence of comprehensive data directly impacts access to health services, particularly for individuals living with chronic conditions and mental health challenges. Ensuring Puerto Rico is included in these platforms is essential. Having complete and representative information is a critical step toward advancing the health and well-being of our communities." Dr. Marianyoly Ortiz, executive director, Puerto Rico Public Health Institute.

“We cannot meaningfully and effectively respond to the mental health and substance use crises without accurate, equitable, and far-reaching data collection,” Congressman Paul Tonko said. “For too long, Puerto Rico has been unjustly excluded from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). I’m proud to co-sponsor this bill to change that – ensuring fairness in this data collection and giving us a better understanding to addressing behavioral health across our communities.”

BACKGROUND

Currently, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides biennial state-level estimates that guide federal and local policy, resource allocation, and public health interventions. However, Puerto Rico is not included in this data collection, creating a significant gap in the nation’s understanding of behavioral health trends in one of its most populous territories.

However, Puerto Rico is currently excluded from this data collection, leaving a major gap in the nation’s understanding of behavioral-health trends in one of its largest and most diverse jurisdictions. The absence of island-specific data makes it harder for public officials, health agencies, and local organizations to secure resources and develop evidence-based responses to substance-use and mental-health challenges.

The Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to require the inclusion of Puerto Rico in the NSDUH beginning in Fiscal Year 2026. By closing this long-standing gap, the legislation will enable policymakers and health professionals to craft more targeted, data-driven strategies and promote a more equitable national approach to behavioral health. Resident Commissioner Hernández was joined by Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Dan Goldman (NY-10), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) in introducing this legislation.