Treatment of self-reported depression among Hispanics and African Americans

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2005 May;16(2):328-44. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2005.0025.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Los Angeles / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology*
  • Poverty / ethnology
  • Public Housing
  • Self-Assessment*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vulnerable Populations / psychology*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents