NYC Gazette

New research conducted by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health has revealed significant disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depressive symptoms, as well as stark racial and ethnic inequities in the care provided to individuals experiencing these symptoms.

The study, published in Health Affairs, was led by Jamie Daw, assistant professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia Mailman School, and Sarah Haight, a doctoral candidate in epidemiology at the Gillings School. The research involved data from 4,542 postpartum individuals in seven jurisdictions, with findings indicating that 11.8 percent reported postpartum depressive symptoms at 2-6 months postpartum.

Sarah Haight highlighted the concerning inequities in care, stating, "Asian, Black and Latine birthing people, who may be at the greatest risk of postpartum depression, are the least likely to receive any form of postpartum mental health care—illustrating stark racial inequities in how postpartum depression is identified and managed in the U.S."

Jamie Daw emphasized the importance of the study's extended focus, noting, "Our findings elucidate how many individuals with mental health symptoms fall through the cracks and don’t ever receive the care they need."

The study's recommendations include policies that promote universal mental health screening at postpartum visits, ensure access to care, address gaps in insurance coverage, and provide clinician training in culturally responsive resources to improve the equity of postpartum depression diagnosis and care in the U.S.

The research underscores the critical need for improved access to postpartum mental health care, especially considering that mental health conditions are the second leading cause of deaths in the late postpartum period. Sarah Haight stressed, "Improving equitable access to PMAD diagnosis and treatment is thus critical to addressing the maternal health crisis in the U.S."

The study by Daw, Haight, and their colleagues is part of the Health Affairs April 2024 issue on perinatal mental health and well-being. It delves into the impacts of perinatal mental health on parents, infants, and children, and explores how policies can intervene to provide support.

In conclusion, while disparities in care have been documented, further investigation is needed to understand the role of structural and interpersonal racism in perpetuating these inequities. Sarah Haight remarked, "Our findings document disparities in care, but future work is needed to investigate how structural and interpersonal racism may explain these observed inequities and what efforts are needed to address these mechanisms and their harmful effects."