Postpartum depression rates nearly doubled between 2010 and 2021, with the largest increase observed among Asian/Pacific Islander women, whose prevalence rose by 280%, according to a recent study.
In the study, published in JAMA Network Open, investigators analyzed postpartum depression (PPD) trends among 442,308 pregnancies recorded within the Kaiser Permanente Southern California health care system between 2010 and 2021. The prevalence of PPD diagnoses increased from 9.4% in 2010 to 19.0% in 2021. The findings indicated notable disparities in PPD rates by race, ethnicity, and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). The study highlighted significant racial, ethnic, and BMI-related disparities, with non-Hispanic Black and Asian/Pacific Islander women experiencing the largest relative increases in PPD rates.
Asian/Pacific Islander women exhibited the largest relative increase in PPD prevalence, with rates rising from 3.6% in 2010 to 13.8% in 2021, representing a 280% increase. Non-Hispanic Black women experienced a 140% increase, with prevalence rising from 9.2% to 22.0%. Hispanic women also saw an increase, with rates growing from 8.9% to 18.8%. Among non-Hispanic White women, who had the highest prevalence in 2021 at 21.8%, PPD rates nearly doubled over the study period. The investigators uncovered disparities in maternal mental health outcomes across racial and ethnic groups.
PPD prevalence also rose across all prepregnancy BMI categories. Women with Class II/III obesity demonstrated the highest rates, increasing from 14.9% in 2010 to 24.4% in 2021. Among women with normal weight, PPD prevalence nearly doubled, rising from 8.5% to 17.0%. These findings highlighted the association between maternal obesity and perinatal mental health outcomes, consistent with previous research.
The investigators noted that expanded use of validated screening tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale likely contributed to the increased detection of PPD. PPD prevalence was observed across all demographic and clinical groups, even with improved screening practices.
The investigators underscored the importance of culturally sensitive and tailored interventions as well as expanded access to mental health care and improved screening practices, to address disparities in postpartum mental health outcomes.
The findings aligned with prior research emphasizing the need for targeted interventions, such as improved screening protocols, expanded mental health care access, and culturally sensitive services, to address maternal mental health disparities. Continued surveillance and investigation into prevention and treatment strategies are crucial for guiding public health initiatives that integrate support systems for vulnerable populations, including those with higher prepregnancy BMI or from racial and ethnic minority groups.
Full disclosures can be found in the published study.
