Pooled data were analysed for 8762 adults from 3 national surveys in this evaluation of differences in access to and quality of depression treatments between patients in racial-ethnic minority groups and non-Latino white patients. Among those with a past-year depressive disorder, 40% of non-Latino whites did not access any treatment, compared with 69% of Asians, 64% of Latinos, and 59% of African Americans. Disparities in the likelihood of both having access to and receiving adequate care for depression were significantly different for Asians and African Americans in contrast to non-Latino whites. The researchers conclude that “populations reluctant to visit a clinic for depression care may have correctly anticipated the limited quality of usual care”.
