Mental health in the United States: health risk behaviors and conditions among persons with depression--new Mexico, 2003.

Studies have demonstrated relationships between physical health and mental health. Chronic disease has been associated with depression, which, in the absence of intervention, also can assume a chronic course. To determine the prevalence of depression among adults in New Mexico and examine the association between depression and selected health risk behaviors and health conditions, the New Mexico Department of Health and CDC analyzed data from the 2003 New Mexico Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. This report describes the results of that analysis, which determined that 3.8% of adults in New Mexico had current symptoms of depression and that these adults were significantly more likely to have engaged in certain health risk behaviors (e.g., smoking and binge drinking) and to have certain health conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, arthritis, and asthma) than persons without depression. Public health programs that promote mental health and timely diagnosis and treatment of depression might also help reduce morbidity and risk behaviors related to chronic diseases.