Analysis Finds Disparities in Global Treatment Rates for Depression

A recently conducted analysis of various studies has found that the rates of treatment for major depressive disorder are still low across the globe, especially for individuals living in lower-middle income and low-income countries. These findings were published in “PLOS Medicine” by University of Washington’s Modhurima Moitra and University of Queensland’s Alize Ferrari along with several colleagues.

In the last few years, global and national initiatives have been making efforts to address the enormous burden caused by major depressive disorder. Despite this, rates of treatment are still low.

Analyses that merge results from research on treatments for depression from varying regions can be used to find opportunities for improvement. However, most of these analyses don’t sufficiently take into account variations in the techniques used in the studies, which makes results from these studies hard to compare.

For their study, the researchers carried out an updated analysis of more than 100 studies on major depressive disorder treatment carried out in 84 nations during the 2000–2021 period. Their discoveries suggest that rates of treatment are still low globally and also highlight discrepancies in treatment between nations with different levels of resources. For instance, they found that individuals suffering from major depressive disorder using mental health services were roughly 8% in lower-middle income and low middle-income nations and about 33% in high-income nations.

Treatment rates considered to be marginally adequate for the treatment of major depressive disorder are lower, with estimations of 3% in lower-middle income and low middle-income nations and 23% in high-income nations.

Ferrari explained that the analysis had found that most individuals failed to receive the level of care that was consistent with practice guideline recommendations, noting that this highlighted the need to reconsider the availability of facilitators of treatment and appropriate care.

In their report, the authors of the study also highlighted the lack of high-quality data on treatments for depression in lower-middle income and low middle-income nations, mostly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, adding that further studies could help address this gap, which would in turn enhance the accuracy of the rates of treatment that they reported in their research.

In addition, they noted that future studies could also assess the best way to improve access to treatment in various regions. Overall, they explained that their discoveries could be used to inform efforts by policymakers and governments to address the treatment of depression across the globe more effectively.

For-profit entities such as Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN) are also investing considerable resources into the search for next-gen treatments for major depressive disorder and other forms of mental health conditions.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Cybin Inc. (NEO: CYBN) (NYSE American: CYBN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CYBN

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