Depression 'significantly underdiagnosed, untreated' in minority communities, BCBS study finds

There is significant underdiagnosis and unnecessary suffering by Black and Hispanic individuals with major depression, and action is needed from payers to reverse the trend, according to a study published May 31 by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Those actions include addressing the youth mental health crisis, ensuring equitable access to mental healthcare, improving care integration of physical and mental health, and confronting racial inequities in mental health.

The study analyzed data from 2016 to 2020 and is based on medical claims of 3.1 million Blue Cross and Blue Shield commercially insured individuals with major depression between the ages of 12 and 64.

Five key takeaways:

  1. Diagnosed major depression is 31 percent lower in majority Black communities and 39 percent lower in majority Hispanic communities compared to white communities.

  2. Fifty-four percent of Black respondents and 47 percent of Hispanic respondents said people with mental health conditions in their communities "are looked down upon," compared to only 38 percent of white respondents.

  3. Increased access to mental healthcare is associated with a three times larger increase in major depression diagnoses for Black communities and a four times larger increase for Hispanic communities compared to white communities.

  4. Prescription treatment rates for diagnosed major depression are 13 percent lower in Black communities and 33 percent lower in Hispanic communities compared to white communities.

  5. Counseling rates for diagnosed major depression are 21 percent lower in Hispanic communities compared to white communities, but there is no major difference between Black and white communities.

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Top 40 articles from the past 6 months