More than 1 in 5 workers in healthcare support roles and 18% of healthcare practitioners report having been diagnosed with depression in their lifetime — significantly higher than the overall workforce average of 14.2%, according to a new CDC study based on data from more than half a million U.S. workers.
Four notes:
- The study is based on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which surveys workers ages 18 and older in 37 states and screens for self-reported diagnosed depression, frequent mental distress, extreme distress and the number of mentally unhealthy days in the past 30 days. The survey was conducted from 2015 to 2019.
- Overall, 14.2% of workers said they had been diagnosed with depression, according to the findings, which were published June 6 in JAMA Network Open. Those working in healthcare support reported the highest levels of depression at nearly 21%. People working in social services, personal care and food preparation industries had similar levels of depression. Nearly 18% of healthcare practitioners — including physicians, nurses and technicians — reported a lifetime depression diagnosis significantly above the national average.
- Women were twice as likely to report having been diagnosed with depression in their lifetime as men, at 20% versus 10%, respectively. Young adults ages 18 to 34 also reported higher depression rates compared to older age groups.
- Researchers concluded that further research is needed to better assess the effects work-related factors and interventions have on individuals’ mental health. The findings come as hospitals and health systems across the country formalize well-being strategies to support the workforce.
