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Washington Value:
Percentage of adults age 65 and older who reported being told by a health professional that they have a depressive disorder, including depression, major depression, minor depression or dysthymia
Washington Rank:
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Percentage of adults age 65 and older who reported being told by a health professional that they have a depressive disorder, including depression, major depression, minor depression or dysthymia
<= 12.9%
13.0% - 14.4%
14.5% - 15.4%
15.5% - 17.3%
>= 17.4%
US Value: 15.5%
Top State(s): Nebraska: 9.8%
Bottom State(s): Tennessee: 22.4%
Definition: Percentage of adults age 65 and older who reported being told by a health professional that they have a depressive disorder, including depression, major depression, minor depression or dysthymia
Data Source and Years(s): CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2022
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.
Depression, also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common mood disorder that can negatively impact health. Risk factors for depression among older adults include loneliness, isolation, loss of loved ones, financial hardship, fear of death or dying, chronic health problems and a reduced sense of purpose brought on by major life changes, such as retirement. Depression in older adults may also be a side effect of certain medications.
If left untreated, depression may lead to:
Estimating the true prevalence of depression among older adults is challenging. For instance, older adults may assume depression and depressive symptoms are an inevitable part of aging, while others are isolated with few people around to recognize depressive symptoms.
There are significant societal costs associated with depression. The economic burden of depression in the United States is estimated at $326.2 billion a year, including direct medical costs, loss of workplace productivity and loss of life due to suicide.
According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of depression is higher among:
Additionally, hospital patients and residents of long-term care facilities also have higher rates of depression.
Depressive disorders are treatable. If an older adult thinks they have depression, the first step is to discuss it with their medical provider. Many older adults experience improvements in their depressive symptoms when treated with psychotherapy or antidepressant drugs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a brief highlighting several evidence-based programs and web resources that communities can use to address depression among older adults. The CDC also provides the PEARLS toolkit, a treatment program that aims to help improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of depression in older adults.
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps lists multiple evidence-based strategies for improving health outcomes among those with depression, including:
The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends several treatment options for older individuals with depression. In 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was launched to provide an easy-to-remember number and 24/7 confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources, by call, text or online chat.
Healthy People 2030 has multiple goals pertaining to mental health, including:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. “Issue Brief 2: Addressing Depression in Older Adults: Selected Evidence-Based Programs.” The State of Mental Health and Aging in America. Atlanta, GA: National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, 2009. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health_brief_2.pdf.
Chang-Quan, Huang, Bi-Rong Dong, Zhen-Chan Lu, Ji-Rong Yue, and Qing-Xiu Liu. “Chronic Diseases and Risk for Depression in Old Age: A Meta-Analysis of Published Literature.” Ageing Research Reviews 9, no. 2 (April 2010): 131–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2009.05.005.
Donovan, Nancy J., Qiong Wu, Dorene M. Rentz, Reisa A. Sperling, Gad A. Marshall, and M. Maria Glymour. “Loneliness, Depression and Cognitive Function in Older U.S. Adults: Loneliness, Depression and Cognition.” International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 32, no. 5 (May 2017): 564–73. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4495.
Greenberg, Paul E., Andree-Anne Fournier, Tammy Sisitsky, Mark Simes, Richard Berman, Sarah H. Koenigsberg, and Ronald C. Kessler. “The Economic Burden of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder in the United States (2010 and 2018).” PharmacoEconomics 39, no. 6 (June 2021): 653–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40273-021-01019-4.
Menchetti, Marco, Nadia Cevenini, Diana De Ronchi, Roberto Quartesan, and Domenico Berardi. “Depression and Frequent Attendance in Elderly Primary Care Patients.” General Hospital Psychiatry 28, no. 2 (March 2006): 119–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2005.10.007.
Penninx, Brenda W. J. H., Jack M. Guralnik, Luigi Ferrucci, Eleanor M. Simonsick, Dorly J. H. Deeg, and Robert B. Wallace. “Depressive Symptoms and Physical Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Persons.” JAMA 279, no. 21 (June 3, 1998): 1720–26. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.279.21.1720.
Thakur, Mugdha, and Dan G. Blazer. “Depression in Long-Term Care.” Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 9, no. 2 (February 1, 2008): 82–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2007.09.007.
Unützer, Jürgen, Donald L. Patrick, Paula Diehr, Greg Simon, David Grembowski, and Wayne Katon. “Quality Adjusted Life Years in Older Adults With Depressive Symptoms and Chronic Medical Disorders.” International Psychogeriatrics 12, no. 1 (March 2000): 15–33. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610200006177.
Wilkinson, Philip, Catherine Ruane, and Katie Tempest. “Depression in Older Adults.” BMJ 363 (November 28, 2018): k4922. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4922.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.