The prevalence of depression is highest in West Virginia and lowest in Hawaii, according to newly released CDC data.
In a June 16 report, the CDC analyzed national data from 2020 to estimate depression rates among U.S. adults. Nearly 20 percent of adults nationwide reported having ever been diagnosed with depression, though that varied widely at state and county levels.
Three more notes about the data:
- Overall, the prevalence of depression was higher among women, younger adults and adults with lower education levels.
- The highest state and county estimates of depression were in the Appalachian region. "Depression is a comorbidity for many chronic diseases, including diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. These diseases also occur in higher concentrations in states within the Appalachian region, suggesting that geographic variation in the prevalence of depression might partially reflect patterns of other chronic diseases," researchers said.
- The estimates are meant to "help decision-makers guide resource allocations" based on areas of greatest need.
Estimates of depression rates among adults, by state:
Alabama — 23.5 percent
Alaska — 15.9
Arizona — 17.4
Arkansas — 23.5
California — 14.1
Colorado — 18.5
Connecticut — 17.7
Delaware — 15.6
District of Columbia — 19.8
Florida — 14.7
Georgia — 17.2
Hawaii — 12.7
Idaho — 18.9
Illinois — 14.7
Indiana — 21.9
Iowa — 17.4
Kansas — 19.2
Kentucky — 24.2
Louisiana — 23.5
Maine — 22.1
Maryland — 15.7
Massachusetts — 17.9
Michigan — 19.5
Minnesota — 19.8
Mississippi — 20.9
Missouri — 22.8
Montana — 22.6
Nebraska — 16.8
Nevada — 17.6
New Hampshire — 21.5
New Jersey — 15.2
New Mexico — 17.6
New York — 16.8
North Carolina — 20.8
North Dakota — 19.2
Ohio — 22
Oklahoma — 22.9
Oregon — 21.2
Pennsylvania — 20.2
Rhode Island — 21.1
South Carolina — 21.4
South Dakota — 16.1
Tennessee — 24.1
Texas — 17.7
Utah — 23.1
Vermont — 23.3
Virginia — 17.2
Washington — 23.4
West Virginia — 26.4
Wisconsin — 19.8
Wyoming — 18.3