Un estudio revela que las políticas sociales influyen en las tasas de depresión

A recent study published in PLOS One by Mary Nicolaou and colleagues from Amsterdam UMC reveals that social and economic welfare policies play a role in influencing depression risk. Depression is recognized as a leading global health issue, contributing to significant disease burden worldwide. Current interventions targeting individual behaviors can reduce depression incidence by only 20%, highlighting the need to address broader social factors.

The researchers analyzed data from 135 studies focusing on depression rates, mental health symptoms, and antidepressant usage in relation to various policy changes in high-income countries. Their findings indicate that policies promoting paid parental leave, increasing employment access, ensuring housing stability, and providing income support correlate with lower depression rates and reduced psychological distress.

Conversely, reductions in social welfare benefits, such as unemployment assistance and increased financial uncertainty, correlate with a rise in mental health issues, particularly among single parents and low-income households. In the United States, expansions in Medicaid and health coverage resulted in notable decreases in mental distress, particularly after job loss.

While most of the studies reviewed did not explore underlying causal mechanisms and only included data up to 2022, the authors suggest that enhancing social determinants of health could serve as an effective strategy for preventing depression on a population level.

Nicolaou stated, “It is widely understood that the conditions and systems in which people are born, live, work, and age can impact their mental health. However, we often focus on the individual, assuming they can overcome barriers like poverty.”

The study emphasizes the need for policies that support paid employment and mental health, and warns that decreases in social welfare entitlements, loss of income, poverty, housing instability, and financial crises are likely to worsen mental health outcomes for the population.

The authors conclude that a range of actions across various policy areas is necessary to effectively tackle mental health issues at a systemic level.