U.S. Adult Prevalence Of Depression Increased By 50% Between 2013 & 2023

The percentage of adults age 20 and older in the United States with depression symptoms increased by 50% between 2013 and 2023, according to an analysis of responses to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted annually during that period. Before the COVID-19 public health emergency, from 2013 through March 2020, about 8.2% of adults had symptoms of depression. Between August 2021 and August 2023, the prevalence of depression increased to 12.3%.

The researchers concluded that the substantial increase of the prevalence of depression during the COVID-19 public health emergency was concentrated among adults . . .