Depression Detection and Treatment Disparity Among Racial Lines
Depression is a common problem for those in late adulthood. The loss of a spouse, decreased mobility and health problems can often complicate depression symptoms, making it difficult for adults to cope with everyday life.
In many cases, depression is not being detected or treated. Recently a study conducted by researchers at Rutgers School of Social Work noted significant differences in how African Americans are treated for depression when compared with non-Hispanic Caucasians. The findings currently appear in the online version of the American Journal of Public Health. The publication expects to include the findings in the February print edition.
The study was led by Ayse Akincigil. Akincigil, an assistant professor at Rutgers, and colleagues discovered African Americans less apt to be diagnosed with depression than non-Hispanic Caucasians, and if diagnosed, were also less apt to receive treatment.
In the findings, Akincigil notes that around 6.6 percent of older Americans experience depression annually, and their quality of life can be severely impacted if the problem is not addressed. Depression may also cause complications in cases of diabetes, heart failure and arthritis.
Utilizing data gathered by the U.S. Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey from the years 2001 to 2005, the researchers were able to analyze rates of depression diagnosis, in addition to levels of insurance coverage and their ability of population segments to gain access to treatment. The data indicated that of 33,708 beneficiaries, the rates of depression for non-Hispanic Caucasians was 6.4 percent, for African Americans it was 4.2 percent, for Hispanics it was 7.2 percent and 3.8 percent among all other races.
The analysis also showed that Caucasians used more antidepressants than African Americans, with the authors indicating that the results may mean that Caucasians have more access to physicians and medications than other racial groups.
In her comments, Akincigil also noted that if African Americans favor psychotherapy over medications, they may face challenges in finding a local therapist. Therapists tend to be more plentiful in higher-income neighborhoods, which tend to be populated with Caucasians. However, the gap in therapy treatment could be due to other factors, such as the possibility that African Americans may be more likely to discuss depressive symptoms with a pastor or lay counselor than a doctor.
The relationship between patient and physician may account for some of the disparity, because African Americans report higher levels of physician distrust and lower levels of patient-physician trust than do non-Hispanic Caucasians.
Despite these possible explanations for the disparities, however, the results indicate a need for further exploration of depression diagnosis in older adults. There is also a need for specific initiatives to provide opportunities for treatment among all segments of the population.
