Characteristics of Adults Age 18 and Older Who Took Prescription Medication for Depression: United States, 2023.

Introduction: This report uses the most recent National Health Interview Survey data on the use of prescription medication for depression and explores differences in use of medication for depression by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, disability status, living alone, family income, education level, region, and urbanization level among U.S. adults in 2023.

Methods: Data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey were used for this analysis. Point estimates and corresponding variances were calculated using SAS-callable SUDAAN software version 11.0 to account for the survey's complex sample design. All estimates are based on self-report and meet NCHS data presentation standards for proportions. Differences between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level. Linear and quadratic trends by age group and family income were evaluated using orthogonal polynomials in logistic regression.

Key findings: In 2023, the percentage of adults age 18 and older who took prescription medication for depression was 11.4%; women were more than twice as likely to take medication for depression than men. White non-Hispanic adults and adults of other and multiple races non-Hispanic were more likely to take medication for depression compared with all other race and Hispanic-origin groups. Adults with disabilities were nearly three times as likely to take medication for depression than adults without disabilities. Taking medication for depression decreased with increasing family income. The percentage of adults taking medication for depression was higher in the Midwest compared to other regions and increased with decreasing urbanization level.