Recorded presentation

Loretta Jones, MA¹, Kenneth Wells, MD², Keith Norris, MD³, Ricky N. Bluthenthal, PhD⁴, Aziza Wright, MA¹, and Aziza Wright, MA¹. (1) Healthy African American Families, 3856 Martin Luther King Blvd Suite 201, Los Angeles, CA 90008, 323-292-2002, LJonesHAAF@aol.com, (2) Health Division, RAND, 1700 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90407, (3) Research and Development, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1772 E. 118th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059, (4) RAND Health, RAND, 1700 Main Street, PO Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407

Major depression is a common disorder affecting almost 20 million adults in the U.S. Depression effects include decreased self-esteem, increased morbidity, disability, and mortality, increased substance use, decreased work productivity, and increased family stress. Annual cost estimates for the consequences of depression range from $15-$35 billion dollars. It is also known that depression is often a "hidden" topic in communities of color and ethnic minorities are less likely to seek care for depression compared to white populations. Even when care is sought, ethnic minorities are less likely to receive appropriate treatment for depression. Innovations are needed to increase awareness and appropriate treatment of depression in communities of color. The Healthy African American Families (HAAF) project in Los Angeles is a leader in developing and implementing community-driven, community-level interventions to address health disparities. This presentation will include discussion of barriers to addressing depression at the community level; methods of discussing and defining depression in collaborative settings; indicators for increased awareness of depression and its importance among community members; and facilitation of strategies to improve appropriate referral and access to treatment.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the barriers for diagnosis and treatment of depression in communities of color.
• Identify the barriers that have historically made depression a forbidden topic in communities of color.
• Identify at least 2 methods for increasing awareness of this illness.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation