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Depression prevalence in the Black aging community vs. their White aging counterparts
Dissertation   Open access

Depression prevalence in the Black aging community vs. their White aging counterparts

Ashley N. Vann
Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc.), Drexel University
18 Feb 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3720
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Abstract

Depression prevalence
Older people, specifically minority groups, are at a disadvantage when it comes to mental health care; as the older population grows, there will be a future mental health crisis for those 65 and older. Depression is the most diagnosed mental health disorder in individuals 65 and older. As it affects all races, studies support the idea that social determinants of health, such as education level, income, and gender, may influence increased depression rates in the older black community. There is an expected correlation between social determinants of health and depression rates. The literature indicates that income, education, and gender have the most significant impact on depression rates. In the last decade, there has been an established need for evidence-based practices by organizations that deliver behavioral health services; however, there is only evidence in support of geriatric depression treatments, and much less available regarding older minorities, specifically older black individuals. This review will investigate secondary research to summarize depression rates in aging populations 65 and older to see if income, gender, and education levels impact depression rates when comparing Blacks and Whites.

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