Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area estimates of depression and anxiety using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 in the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the United States by state and MMSA.

Method: The 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System collected depression and anxiety data on 74 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs) and 41 states/territories (n = 217,379).

Results: The national prevalence of current depression, lifetime diagnosis of depression, and lifetime diagnosis of anxiety is 8.7 %, 15.7 %, and 11.3 %, respectively. There is considerable variability within and across states for all three measures. The most striking within-state difference in current depression between MMSAs is in California: 5.4 % and 11.3 %.

Conclusion: This variation in mental health at the state and MMSA levels calls for development and implementation of local programs.