Mental Health and Mental Health Care Utilization Across Political Affiliation in U.S. Adults

Catherine K Ettman; C Ross Hatton; Brian C Castrucci; Sandro Galea

doi:10.1097/PHH.0000000000002050

Mental Health and Mental Health Care Utilization Across Political Affiliation in U.S. Adults

J Public Health Manag Pract. 2024 Sep 5. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000002050. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Catherine K Ettman¹, C Ross Hatton, Brian C Castrucci, Sandro Galea

Affiliation

¹ Author Affiliations: Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (Drs Ettman and Hatton); Office of the President, de Beaumont Foundation, Bethesda, Maryland (Dr Castrucci); and Office of the Dean, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Galea).

PMID: 39236212
DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000002050

Abstract

In the past decade, depression has become more visible in the public conversation; depression has also become bound in national divides. We sought to assess (1) whether positive screen for depression is associated with political party affiliation and (2) whether use of mental health care varies by political affiliation. Positive screen for depression did not differ significantly for Republicans versus Democrats in Spring 2023. However, Republicans were less likely to have received treatment for their mental health in the past 12 months. Depression is a bipartisan issue, and improving access to mental health care could be a priority that unites political groups during the upcoming election season.