Major Depression Prevalence Is Closely Correlated With Ethnic Status In The U.S.

Main Category: Depression
Article Date: 16 Oct 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that in the U.S., the prevalence of major depression is closely correlated with ethnic status -- Whites have a higher rate of depression, whereas Hispanics generally have lower rates.

The new analytics tool entitled PatientFinder: Major Depression estimates that states with larger-than-average Hispanic populations have some of the lowest prevalent rates of major depression. California, Texas, Arizona and Florida are four of the five states with the lowest prevalent rates of depression (5 percent or less of the population). Research indicates that Hispanics tend to have lower treatment rates for depression than do other ethnicities.

"Despite their low overall prevalence, states like California actually have some of the highest numbers of untreated patients and remain an excellent territory for growing market share of brands that treat depression," stated Jason LaBonte, Ph.D., Vice President of New Product Development at Decision Resources.

Why Pharmaceutical Companies Need this Information

With the type of information included in PatientFinder, pharmaceutical organizations can identify the local markets that offer the greatest opportunity for their branded drug. Companies can identify markets that are underserved and determine if they should increase direct-to-consumer advertising, work with the local managed care organizations to increase awareness of the disease and benefits of their drug or align sales representatives to maximize market potential.

About PatientFinder

PatientFinder is the only healthcare analytics tool that assesses local markets for expansion opportunity by determining the number of insured patients in each territory who have the disease but are untreated. PatientFinder covers each of the 50 U.S. states and 318 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and provides:

-- Disease-specific prevalence numbers for each U.S. state and MSA

-- Examination of treatment rates for the disease population to create percent treated and percent untreated estimates by state and MSA

-- Unique analysis of the untreated population examined through a filter of prescription (Rx) benefit coverage. The end result is an estimate of how many patients are untreated but can afford therapy within each territory-the true local measure of opportunity for pharmaceutical companies

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (http://www.DecisionResourcesInc.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources, Inc. company.

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at http://www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

All company, brand or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Decision Resources
http://www.decisionresources.com