Two groups of people who have been among the forgotten, invisible and medically underserved are women veterans, and the elderly. In comparing the health characteristics of elderly women and women veterans, similarities can be found in the two groups. During times when there is a downward trend in the state of the economy and no immediate changes in the provision of health care services for underserved individuals, it is most likely that the rate and incidence of depression will increase. In addition, depression has been linked to sudden cardiac death.
Descriptive factors which may be ascribed to elderly women can also be found among female veterans. Those factors include female gender, single, living alone, weak or no support system, limited income, poor nutritional status, barriers to health care and underinsured. The primary care provider of the elderly or veterans may prescribe an antidepressant for major depression and the individual is not closely monitored for one reason or another. One reason might be the patient’s low economic status. Their economic status and marginalization could have triggered or contributed to the depression.
Dr. William Whang of Columbia University, New York and his colleagues reported in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology, March 17, 2009 that major depression was a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The study group was healthy, mostly white women. Questionnaires were administered to the study participants in 1992, 1996, and the year 2000 to assess symptoms of depression. The use of antidepressants was assessed in 1996 and 2000.
During times when there is a downward trend in the state of the economy and no immediate changes in the provision of health care services for underserved individuals, it is most likely that the rate and incidence of depression will increase. In addition, depression has been linked to sudden cardiac death
