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Racial/ethnic disparities exist in the diagnosis, treatment of depression
Minorities are less likely to receive a depression diagnosis and be treated for it than non-Hispanic Whites, according to a new study published on-line and ahead-of-print on December 15, 2011, in the American Journal of Public Health.
Minorities are less likely to receive a depression diagnosis and be treated for it than non-Hispanic Whites, according to a new study published on-line and ahead-of-print on December 15, 2011, in the American Journal of Public Health.
In their report, the researchers highlight, "Depression is a significant public health concern for older Americans." They continued, "If untreated or undertreated, depression can significantly diminish quality of life and increase mortality."
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 6.6% of the older adults in the United States may experience a major depressive disorder in any given year.
Their analysis found depression diagnosis rates to be 6.4% for non-Hispanic Whites, 4.2% for African Americans, 7.2% for Hispanics, and 3.8% for others races/ethnicities. After adjusting for a range of covariates using logistic regression, data suggested African Americans were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with depression by a healthcare provider compared to non-Hispanic Whites (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.53; 95% CI=0.41–0.69); and those whom were diagnosed, were less likely to be treated for depression (AOR=0.45; 95% CI=0.30–0.66).
Efforts are needed to reduce the burden of undetected and untreated depression and to identify the barriers that generate disparities in detection and treatment," the researchers said.
Among their top recommendations to address these disparities in depression diagnosis and treatment was universal depression screening and ensuring access to care in low-income and minority neighborhoods.
This study was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health and by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Coalition promotes important acetaminophen dosing reminders
November 18th 2014It may come as a surprise that each year Americans catch approximately 1 billion colds, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 20% get the flu. This cold and flu season, 7 in 10 patients will reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to treat their coughs, stuffy noses, and sniffles. It’s an important time of the year to remind patients to double check their medicine labels so they don’t double up on medicines containing acetaminophen.
Support consumer access to specialty medications through value-based insurance design
June 30th 2014The driving force behind consumer cost-sharing provisions for specialty medications is the acquisition cost and not clinical value. This appears to be true for almost all public and private health plans, says a new report from researchers at the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID Center) and the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).
Management of antipsychotic medication polypharmacy
June 13th 2013Within our healthcare-driven society, the increase in the identification and diagnosis of mental illnesses has led to a proportional increase in the prescribing of psychotropic medications. The prevalence of mental illnesses and subsequent treatment approaches may employ monotherapy as first-line treatment, but in many cases the use of combination of therapy can occur, leading to polypharmacy.1 Polypharmacy can be defined in several ways but it generally recognized as the use of multiple medications by one patient and the most common definition is the concurrent use of five more medications. The presence of polyharmacy has the potential to contribute to non-compliance, drug-drug interactions, medication errors, adverse events, or poor quality of life.
Medical innovation improves outcomes
June 12th 2013I have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the pancreas, a disease that’s long been considered not just incurable, but almost impossible to treat-a recalcitrant disease that some practitioners feel has given oncology a bad name. I was told my life would be measured in weeks.
