The prevalence of depression among older adults is influenced by factors such as age, gender, marital status, education, income, and engagement in volunteering, according to a study published online on Jan. 8 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Led by Yitao Xi, M.P.H., from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, the study analyzed data from 2,990 community-dwelling participants aged 65 to 79 years, part of the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers study.

The findings revealed that 6.2% of participants experienced depression, with higher prevalence observed in specific demographic groups: individuals aged 65 to 69 years (7.9%), women (7.2%), unmarried participants (8.1%), those with a high school education or less (8.3%), and individuals with annual household incomes below $50,000 (10.7%).

The study also highlighted a significant link between medical history and depression. Participants with a history of depression or chronic conditions such as diabetes and anxiety showed a higher likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. Conversely, volunteering was identified as a protective factor, associated with a 43% reduction in the odds of depression (adjusted odds ratio: 0.57), even after accounting for demographic and health-related variables.

“Our findings reaffirm the important role that sociodemographic and medical factors play in the prevalence of depression at the late phase of lifespan,” said Guohua Li, M.D., Dr.P.H., senior author and faculty member at the Mailman School of Public Health. “The study underscores the need for policies that bolster financial security for older adults and provides further evidence for the potential protective role of volunteering in mitigating the risk of depression.”

These insights emphasize the importance of addressing economic and social determinants of health while encouraging active community engagement to support mental well-being in older adults.