title: Depression and undertreatment of depression: potential risks and outcomes in black patients with lung cancer.
abstract: In the United States, Black men are at higher risk than White men for lung cancer mortality whereas rates are comparable between Black and White women. This article draws from empirical work in lung cancer, mental health, and health disparities to highlight that race and depression may overlap in predicting lower treatment access and utilization and poorer quality of life among patients. Racial barriers to depression identification and treatment in the general population may compound these risks. Prospective data are needed to examine whether depression plays a role in racial disparities in lung cancer outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Psychiatric Oncology and Behavioral Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. ltraeger@partners.org
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Traeger
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Pirl
authors.forename: Elyse R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*; D036262:Empirical Research; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States