199430 State and local area estimates of depression and anxiety among adults with disabilities

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Catherine A. Okoro, MS , Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Tara W. Strine, PhD , Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Lela R. McKnight-Eily, MD , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
John Crews, DPA , Office on Disability and National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
James B. Holt, PhD , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Lina S. Balluz, ScD, MPH , Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Background: The availability of population-level state and local area data to compare current depression, lifetime diagnoses of depression (LTdxD), or lifetime diagnoses of anxiety (LTdxA) among adults with disabilities is useful for planning purposes to state and local public health agencies.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of current depression, LTdxD, and LTdxA among adults with disabilities by state, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area (MMSA), and county.

Methods: Data were analyzed for community-dwelling people aged 18 years or older with a disability in 41 states/territories, 74 MMSAs, and 114 counties. Current depressive symptoms were assessed with the clinically validated Patient Health Questionnaire-8, and LTdxD and LTdxA were assessed by two additional questions (one each).

Results: Estimates of current depression, LTdxD, and LTdxA among adults with disabilities varied substantially by state, MMSA, and county. Current depression estimates ranged from 14.7% in North Dakota to 30.1% in Mississippi; metropolitan current depression estimates ranged from 8.4% in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, California (CA) to 36.2% in Jacksonville, Florida; and county current depression estimates ranged from 9.1% in Alameda County, CA to 44.0% in Orleans Parish, Louisiana (LA). There was also considerable variation of current depression, LTdxD, and LTdxA within states. For instance, while Orleans Parish, LA had the highest county-level prevalence of current depression (44.0%), Jefferson Parish, LA had an estimate 24.5% percentage points lower, at 19.5%.

Conclusions: State and local area estimates may be used to guide state and local efforts to prevent, delay, or reduce depression and anxiety among adults with disabilities.

Learning Objectives:
1. List the prevalence of current depression, lifetime diagnoses of depression, and lifetime diagnoses of anxiety among adults with disabilities by state and local area. 2. Describe the variation of these mental health conditions within and between states.

Keywords: Disability, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: For the past 17 years I have worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the past five years I have worked as an epidemiologist in the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adult and Community Health, Behavioral Surveillance Branch. I have a MS degree and conduct research primarily in the area of disability.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Disability Survey Analyses and Methods
See more of: Disability