CDC Ranks Depression Rates by State; Missouri, Kansas Figures a Concern

New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that nearly 19 percent of adults in the U.S. were experiencing some form of depression in 2020—a year in which the pandemic restrictions added huge stresses to career and home life for many.

Kansas ranked 24th nationally, sitting a hair above the national average of 19.51 percent, while Missouri ranked considerably lower. It’s 22.8 percent placed it No. 41 among states.

Among the CDC’s conclusions, women, younger adults and adults with lower education levels accounted for a disproportionate number of cases. And Appalachian states had the highest state and county estimates of depression. Researchers said that was to be expected, given that depression is a comorbidity for diseases such as arthritis and cardiovascular diseases, which are more prevalent in that region.

The percentages, by state:

Alabama — 23.5

Alaska — 15.9

Arizona — 17.4

Arkansas — 23.5

California — 14.1

Colorado — 18.5

Connecticut — 17.7

Delaware — 15.6

District of Columbia — 19.8

Florida — 14.7

Georgia — 17.2

Hawaii — 12.7

Idaho — 18.9

Illinois — 14.7

Indiana — 21.9

Iowa — 17.4

Kansas — 19.2

Kentucky — 24.2

Louisiana — 23.5

Maine — 22.1

Maryland — 15.7

Massachusetts — 17.9

Michigan — 19.5

Minnesota — 19.8

Mississippi — 20.9

Missouri — 22.8

Montana — 22.6

Nebraska — 16.8

Nevada — 17.6

New Hampshire — 21.5

New Jersey — 15.2

New Mexico — 17.6

New York — 16.8

North Carolina — 20.8

North Dakota — 19.2

Ohio — 22

Oklahoma — 22.9

Oregon — 21.2

Pennsylvania — 20.2

Rhode Island — 21.1

South Carolina — 21.4

South Dakota — 16.1

Tennessee — 24.1

Texas — 17.7

Utah — 23.1

Vermont — 23.3

Virginia — 17.2

Washington — 23.4

West Virginia — 26.4

Wisconsin — 19.8

Wyoming — 18.3

You can read the full report, here.

Posted June 22, 2023