Health and economic aspects of mental illness: Assessing the association among major depression, cardiovascular disease risk factors and economic instability

Introduction: This research assesses certain health and economic outcomes related to major depression. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, with a 21.6% adult lifetime prevalence. Research confirms an association between depression and economic stress in that individuals with depression may have lower income levels and experience underemployment, unemployment, poverty and homelessness more frequently than those without depression. Research reveals that depression also leads to adverse health outcomes and may be the most important risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease.;Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using self-reported individual-level responses collected between 2001 and 2003 from 20,013 participants in 252 geographic areas. The data come from three nationally representative surveys that each focus on the mental health of specific racial or ethnic populations.;Results: Regression results show no association between major depression and increased rates of unemployment or lower household income; however, those with major depression were 2.6 times more likely to have experienced homelessness (p<0.05). Results demonstrate that those who suffer from major depression experience an increased risk of high blood pressure, but do not demonstrate a similar increased risk of obesity or diabetes. Results also show those with major depression have an increased likelihood of experiencing two of the individual CVD risk factors.;Conclusion: Major depression is a significant public health concern and a predictor of numerous other health and economic consequences, which further supports the argument for ongoing research regarding each relationship.