A significant variation in the rates of depression was observed among older adults living in the community across multiple sites in the U.S., according to research from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Previously, there have been few studies focusing on the occurrence of depression in community-dwelling older adults in America. This research has been published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society.
Out of the 2,900 individuals surveyed in the study, 6.2 percent were found to have depression. The likelihood of depression was significantly lower in older adults who had a history of good mental health or reported household incomes of $50,000 or more. Engaging in volunteer work also contributed to a reduced likelihood of depression, showing a decline rate of 43 percent.
“These results enhance our understanding of how depression is distributed and can be prevented in older adults,” remarked Yitao Xi, MPH, the lead author and a recent Epidemiology graduate from Columbia Mailman School. “They provide solid evidence regarding the prevalence of depression in U.S. community-dwelling older adults and highlight how volunteering could help reduce depression risks.”
This research utilized data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) study, which included 2,990 active drivers aged between 65 to 79 years without major cognitive issues. The team investigated the rates of depression and its correlates in this diverse sample of community residents assessed between July 2015 and March 2017. Participants were recruited from primary care clinics or healthcare organizations across five locations: Ann Arbor, MI; Baltimore, MD; Cooperstown, NY; Denver, CO; and San Diego, CA. The researchers used the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) depression scale to assess mental health status. Additional evaluations included questionnaires, review of medical records, functional assessments (like grip strength), and a complete analysis of current medications.
Among the participants, 7 percent were women, 8 percent were unmarried, 8 percent had a high school education or less, and 11 percent had household incomes below $50,000. It was noted that the prevalence of depression was higher in individuals aged 65 to 69 (8 percent), while those aged 70 to 74 showed considerably less likelihood of experiencing depression.
“Individuals in the 65-69 age group often encounter significant transitions such as retirement or chronic health issues, which can lead to depressive symptoms,” stated Guohua Li, MD, DrPH, a professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University and senior author of the LongROAD study. “This observation aligns with other studies showing that older adults, particularly those over 65, often experience a surge of health problems or chronic conditions like diabetes, anxiety, cognitive decline, and loss of social connections, all of which can intensify feelings of isolation and depression. On the other hand, those who volunteer tend to exhibit lower rates of depression.”
Besides the positive effects of volunteering on lowering depression rates, the study further emphasizes the significance of marital status in influencing depression prevalence. “It’s well-established that social relationships, especially marriage, can provide critical emotional support and protect against mental health challenges,” Li remarked, also holding a position as a professor of Anesthesiology at Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons.
The World Health Organization reports that there are over 1.4 billion individuals aged 60 and older. This demographic shift brings public health issues, including the rising rates of depression due to coexisting medical conditions and insufficient social support. Addressing depression in older adults remains a pressing global concern.
“Our findings reinforce the critical influence of sociodemographic and health-related factors on depression prevalence in later life,” Li pointed out. “Our study highlights the urgent need for policies that ensure financial security for older adults and underscores the potential of volunteering as a valuable means of reducing depression risk.”
Dr. Soo Borson, the journal editor, commented: “The noteworthy study by Xi and colleagues warrants broad attention. They not only remind us that older adults with chronic health issues, previous depression, and sociodemographic disadvantages are more likely to experience depression, but they also identify volunteer work as a possible protective factor—even in those with a history of depression. Their data reveal that around the ‘normal’ retirement age—mid to late 60s—there is a notable rise in depression rates. Early geriatric studies in the United States recognized retirement as a critical life stage laden with potential risks like diminished purpose, self-worth, and meaning, all associated with depression. While retirement continues to be a defining event, its timing has increasingly varied across ages. Xi and her team remind us of the significance of ‘work’—particularly the work of contributing to others, which extends well beyond the last paycheck.”
Co-authors of the study include Thelma Mielenz from Columbia Mailman School, Howard F. Andrews from Columbia Mailman School and Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Linda L. Hill from the University of California, San Diego, David Strogatz from Bassett Research Institute, Carolyn DiGuiseppi from the University of Colorado School of Public Health, Marian Betz from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Vanya Jones from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and David Eby and Lisa Molnar from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, alongside Barbara H. Lang from Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons.
The Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers study was supported by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
