Study: 27% of Hispanics Report High Levels of Depressive Symptoms; Puerto Ricans Most Depressed

Share On Social!

About 27% of US Hispanics reported high levels of depressive symptoms, according to a new study, Medical Express reports.

The study, part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), indicates that depression and anxiety rates differ widely among Hispanic groups.

The highest rates of depressive symptoms were reported by Puerto Ricans (38%).

The lowest rates were among Mexicans (22.3%).

“Our study has found that mental health problems differ among the various groups comprising this population, suggesting that healthcare workers should look more closely at subgroups of Hispanics and Latinos to deliver appropriate mental health services,” said lead author Dr. Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, co-principal investigator of HCHS/SOL at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, according to Medical Express.

The study also found that depression was more likely among Hispanics who were older, female, and/or suffering from heart disease risk factors (smoking, obesity, etc.).

Despite Hispanics’ high depression rates, the study found low rates of antidepressant use:

One of the study’s most compelling findings was the relatively low use of antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications among Hispanics and Latinos. Overall, only 5 percent of the study sample used antidepressants, even though depression affected 27 percent of this population. Antidepressant usage varied widely according to insurance status: 8.2 percent of insured people used antidepressants vs. 1.8 percent of uninsured. (In contrast, 13.6 percent of non-Hispanic whites ages 12 and over take antidepressants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This is a significant concern, as it suggests that depression and anxiety may not be adequately treated in the Hispanic/Latino community,” Dr. Wassertheil-Smoller said.