Health

Adolescent girls at higher risk for major depression than teen boys

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 2, 2008

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

One in 12 teens had a major depressive episode within the past year, and females were at greater risk than males, according to a report issued last month by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

According to "Major Depressive Episode among Youths Aged 12 to 17 in the United States: 2004 to 2006," which analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.5% of those ages 12 to 17 had such an incident within the past year. The rate for girls was 12.7% and for boys, 4.6%. The risk increased with age, and those with the condition reported significant disruption to their lives. Approximately 48.3% reported severe impairment and an average of 25.8 days when they were unable to participate in normal activities. The rate of very severe impairment was 21%, resulting in a loss of activity on 58.4 days.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/06/02/hlbf0602.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn