WEDNESDAY, Sept. 22, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- There's no racial distinction when it comes to depression in the homebound elderly, says a new study in the October issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Both black and white seniors in that situation suffer equally from major depression, researchers from Cornell University found.
Previous studies of depression and racial disparities among seniors have provided conflicting evidence. Some have found higher rates of depression among older white adults, and other studies have found the opposite.
This new study "may reflect a true 'shared burden' among black and white home-care patients," the researchers said.
The researchers also found that neither group receives adequate treatment for their depression.
More information
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill has more about depression in the elderly.
