Significant racial and ethnic inequities exist in the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depressive symptoms in the United States, according to new research from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
The study, published in the journal Health Affairs, analyzed data from seven U.S. jurisdictions and found that while there were no statistical differences in postpartum depression diagnoses across racial and ethnic groups, treatment rates varied widely. Among those with depressive symptoms, 67% of white respondents received mental health treatment compared to only 37% of Hispanic and Black respondents, and 19.7% of Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Southwest Asian, Middle Eastern or North African respondents.
“Improving equitable access to diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depressive symptoms is critical to addressing the maternal health crisis in the U.S.,” said Julia Daw, an author of the study from Columbia University. [1] The researchers emphasized the importance of addressing these disparities, as postpartum mental health conditions are the second leading cause of deaths in the late postpartum period.
The findings highlight the need for targeted efforts to ensure equal access to postpartum mental health care for all racial and ethnic groups.
“Racial And Ethnic Inequities In Postpartum Depressive Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Care In 7 US Jurisdictions” (April 5, 2024)
