Single and joint associations of physical activity and depression with risk of all-cause mortality: a prospective cohort study of NHANES data

Our study found that depression was positively associated with increased mortality risk, while PA was negatively associated with it; moreover, the mortality risk associated with depression worsened with low levels of physical activity. These findings underscore the critical importance of promoting physical activity, especially among individuals with depression, as a potential strategy to mitigate mortality risk. This highlights the need for integrated public health interventions that address both mental health and physical activity to improve overall population health outcomes.