Depression‑free life expectancy among 50 and older Americans by gender, race/ethnicity and education: the effect of marital disruption

Depression is a common mental health disorder, positively associated with mortality and morbidity, especially in the elderly. The study examines differences in Depression-Free Life Expectancy by gender, race/ethnicity, education and marital status between 2012 and 2018, using a cohort of 50 and older Americans of the Health and Retirement Study. On average, people not in union anymore could expect to live less years in total as well as less years free of depression than people in union. Women, who were also more likely to be not in union anymore, could expect to live more years with depressive symptoms in late life than men. Estimates of depression-free life expectancies are important as they may contribute to the definition of current and future social and medical service needs and policies.