Preventing Late-Life Depression Through Task Sharing

Late-life depression (LLD) is the most common mental health problem in elderly patients. It has adverse impacts on the outcome of comorbid medical illnesses and is associated with increased risk for dementia and mortality. Subthreshold depression, which is more prevalent than major depression, also contributes to significant burden. High treatment gap for LLD, due to low awareness, stigma, and shortage of trained mental health care professionals, is a significant challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income (LAMI) countries. Late-life depression has low remission rates even after treatment. Together, LLD poses substantial public health challenges. In this context, a few studies have explored the feasibility and effectiveness of prevention of LLD.
Source: JAMA Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research