Treatment of self-reported depression among Hispanics and African Americans.
This study applied the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations framework to examine the correlates of depression and the receipt of medical treatment among low-income Hispanics and African Americans residing in public housing. We compared three groups: those who reported (1) self-diagnosed but without physician-diagnosed depression, (2) depression diagnosed by a physician but who did not receive pharmaceutical treatment, and (3) depression diagnosed by a physician and antidepressant pharmacotherapy consumed by patient. Random samples of 287 adults from three public housing communities were surveyed. Over 48% of this sample reported that they were suffering from depression. One out of three people who reported being depressed also said that a physician had never diagnosed his or her condition. Only 40% of those who said that a physician had diagnosed depression also reported taking antidepressant medication. Untreated depression among underserved racial and ethnic minorities is alarming and points to an urgent need for intervention.
Bazargan
Mohsen
M
Dept. of Family Medicine, and Research Centers in Minority Institutions, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 East 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA. mobazarg@cdrewu.edu
Bazargan-Hejazi
Shahrzad
S
Baker
Richard S
RS
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology; D011638:Public Housing; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents