Kevin H Yang1, Benjamin H Han2, Alison A Moore2, Joseph J Palamar3. 1. University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego 92093, USA. Electronic address: kevinyang@health.ucsd.edu. 2. University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego 92093, USA. 3. New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, 180 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite concerns about increasing trends in depression over the past two decades, little is known about recent trends in depression and mental health (MH) treatment among older adults and whether these trends differ by demographic characteristics. METHODS: We examined data from a US representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥65 from the 2010-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 31,502). We estimated trends in the prevalence of past-year major depressive episode (MDE) overall and by demographic characteristics. We also estimated trends in MH treatment among those with past-year MDE. RESULTS: From 2010/11 to 2018/19, the estimated prevalence of past-year MDE among older adults increased from 2.0 % (95 % CI: 1.6-2.6) to 3.2 % (95 % CI: 2.7 to 3.7), a 60.0 % increase (p = 0.013). Increases were detected among men (p = 0.038), White individuals (p = 0.018), those who are widowed (p = 0.003), those with an annual household income of <$20,000 (p = 0.020) or $20,000-$49,000 (p = 0.016), and those with some college degree (p = 0.014). Among those with MDE, there were no significant changes detected in any form of past-year MH treatment. LIMITATIONS: NSDUH does not assess individuals who are institutionalized, incarcerated, or experiencing homelessness, and thus the prevalence of MDE may be underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: Although the estimated prevalence of depression is increasing among older adults, there has not been a proportional increase in MH treatment among those with depression. These findings call for urgent expansion of treatment services and training of MH professionals with expertise in older adults to meet the needs of this growing, vulnerable population.
BACKGROUND: Despite concerns about increasing trends in depression over the past two decades, little is known about recent trends in depression and mental health (MH) treatment among older adults and whether these trends differ by demographic characteristics. METHODS: We examined data from a US representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥65 from the 2010-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 31,502). We estimated trends in the prevalence of past-year major depressive episode (MDE) overall and by demographic characteristics. We also estimated trends in MH treatment among those with past-year MDE. RESULTS: From 2010/11 to 2018/19, the estimated prevalence of past-year MDE among older adults increased from 2.0 % (95 % CI: 1.6-2.6) to 3.2 % (95 % CI: 2.7 to 3.7), a 60.0 % increase (p = 0.013). Increases were detected among men (p = 0.038), White individuals (p = 0.018), those who are widowed (p = 0.003), those with an annual household income of <$20,000 (p = 0.020) or $20,000-$49,000 (p = 0.016), and those with some college degree (p = 0.014). Among those with MDE, there were no significant changes detected in any form of past-year MH treatment. LIMITATIONS: NSDUH does not assess individuals who are institutionalized, incarcerated, or experiencing homelessness, and thus the prevalence of MDE may be underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: Although the estimated prevalence of depression is increasing among older adults, there has not been a proportional increase in MH treatment among those with depression. These findings call for urgent expansion of treatment services and training of MH professionals with expertise in older adults to meet the needs of this growing, vulnerable population.
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