Fast Facts Quote from Tommy G. Thompson Children/Adolescents Cost of Depression Medicaid Populations's Access to Medications African American's Access to Medication References Depression is one of the most common illnesses seen in primary care and is associated with high rates of health service utilization when compared with other diseases seen in the general medical setting.(1) Fast Facts   In America alone, over 6 million men have depression each year.(2)   Depression is the most common reason for nonobstetric hospital stays for women age 18-44.(3) "As a nation, we have only begun to come to terms with the reality and impact of mental illnesses on the health and well- being of the American people." "The Department of Health and Human Services encourages its s tate and local partners to engage communities and listen to their needs. We must understand how local leaders and communities, including schools, families, and faith organizations, can become vital allies in the battle against disparities. Together, we can develop a shared vision of equal access to effective mental health services, identify the opportunities and incentives for collaborative problem solving, and then seize them. From a commitment to health and mental health for all Americans, communities will benefit. States will benefit. The Nation will benefit." Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services (4) Children/Adolescents Depression in adolescents is more widespread than previously believed, it tends to affect girls more than boys, and it is more prevalent in older than younger adolescents.(5) Kaplan and his colleagues found a 22 % prevalence rate of depression in their group of adolescents and reported that lower socioeconomic status was positively correlated with degree of depression.(6) Data collected from NIMH and other sources indicate that between 15-20% of children and youth suffer from emotional or behavioral problems that warrant mental health intervention.  Only 30-35% of children and adolescents in need of mental health intervention receive it. (7) The shortage of facilities is a major barrier to adolescents seeking treatment.(7)    Back to Top Cost Estimates of the monetary cost of depression to the adult population of this country range as high as $16.5 billion per year in terms of treatment costs and lost productivity. (7) Medicaid Population's Access to Medication Melfi et al compared patterns of access to care and treatment for depression in a privately insured population and in a Medicaid population.  There appeared to be a lower standard of care for depression in the Medicaid population.  Medicaid recipients were less likely to receive newer medications that in many cases have become the standard of care in the private sector. (1) African American Access to Medications Research shows that African American Medicaid recipients were less likely than whites to receive a medication when they first had an indication of depression, even though there is evidence to suggest that African Americans show a greater responsiveness to antidepressants than whites.(8) Back to Top References 1. Melfi CA, Croghan TW, Hanna MP. Access to treatment for depression in a Medicaid population. J Health Care Poor Underserved 1999;10(2):201-15. 2. Real Men, Real Depression. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. http://menanddepression.nimh.nih.gov 3.Care of Women in U.S. Hospitals, 2000. HCUP Fact Book No. 3. AHRQ Publication No. 02-0044, October 2002. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/data/hcup/factbk3/factbk3.htm 4. Surgeon General's Report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cre/message.asp 5. Angold A. Childhood and adolescent depression. I. Epidemiological and aetiological aspects. Br J Psychiatry 1988;152:601-17.          6. Kaplan SL, Hong GK, Weinhold C. Epidemiology of depressive symptomatology in adolescents. J Am Acad Child Psychiatry 1984;23(1):91-8. 7. King SR. Recognizing and responding to adolescent depression. J Health Care Poor Underserved 1991;2(1):122-9; discussion 30-1. 8. Lawson WB. Racial and ethnic factors in psychiatric research. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1986;37(1):50-4. 9. Fulkerson JA, Sherwood NE, Perry CL, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Depressive symptoms and adolescent eating and health behaviors: a multifaceted view in a population-based sample. Prev Med 2004;38(6):865-75.  This research was supported by a National Library of Medicine (NLM) Publication Grant #5G08 LM07653-02 in support of the creation of a web site titled Factline: Tracking Health in Underserved Communities, www.factline.org. Saqi S. Maleque, MSPH, Researcher, Principal Investigator: Virginia Brennan, PhD.