Depression ranks within top 10 causes of poor health worldwide

The Global Burden of Disease study indicated mental health and substance use disorders were significant causes of poor health across the world, particularly major depressive disorders.

As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016, researchers analyzed 37 of 50 health-related Sustainable Development Goals indicators from 1990 through 2016 for 188 countries. Based on past trends, researchers projected indicators to 2030.

In 2016, 1.1 billion individuals experienced mental health and substance use disorders worldwide.

Major depressive disorders were within the top 10 causes of poor health in all but four countries.

Since 2006, deaths from firearms, 67,500 from self-harm and 161,000 from assault, increased by 4.3% and 5.7%, respectively.

Tobacco accounted for more than 7.1 million deaths, according to researchers.

To accompany these recent findings, Healio.com/Psychiatry gathered the most recent research on depression and substance use disorders.

Smoking during pregnancy increasing in women with major depression

Smoking during pregnancy significantly increased among women with major depressive episodes, while decreasing among those without, from 2005 to 2014. Read more

Instagram photos may indicate depression

Recent findings suggest that Instagram photos may indicate predictive markers of depression. Read more

Shared genetic factors influence comorbid major depression, alcohol dependence

Analysis of four genome-wide association studies indicated shared genetic risk factors contributed to comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. Read more

SAMHSA: 1 in 8 children live with a parent with addiction

Analysis of national data indicated one in eight children lived in households with at least one parent with a substance use disorder in the past year. Read more

Childhood ADHD, depression increases risk for addiction

Children with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder, and depression were significantly more likely to develop subsequent substance-related disorders, according to recent findings. Read more

Lower nicotine cigarettes may hinder addiction in at-risk groups

Cigarettes with lower nicotine content may decrease addiction potential among individuals highly vulnerable to tobacco addiction. Read more

“Our findings indicate people are living longer and, over the past decade, we identified substantial progress in driving down death rates from some of the world’s most pernicious diseases and conditions, such as under age-5 mortality and malaria,” study researcher Christopher Murray, MD, DPhil, director of Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, said in a press release. “Yet, despite this progress, we are facing a triad of trouble holding back many nations and communities — obesity, conflict, and mental illness, including substance use disorders.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosures: The studies were funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.