Prevalence and Treatment of Anxiety and Depression Among US Healthcare Workers, 2021–2024

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) face high levels of psychological distress due to workplace stressors, but there is a paucity of evidence on the prevalence and treatment of anxiety and depression among HCWs. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and treatment of self-reported anxiety and depression among HCWs. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the 2021-2024 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). PARTICIPANTS: 76,800 adults aged 18-64 years old. EXPOSURE: The primary exposure was HCW status, categorized by self-report. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcomes were self-reported anxiety and depression. The secondary outcome was self-reported untreated anxiety or depression. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression models. KEY RESULTS: Among 76,800 participants (59.0% aged 18-44, 50.4% female, and 58.9% non-Hispanic White), self-reported anxiety (23.3% vs 19.1%, p < 0.001) and depression (22.3% vs 18.9%, p < 0.001) were more common among HCWs than non-HCWs. Among individuals with self-reported anxiety or depression, HCWs were more likely to report untreated anxiety (72.1% vs 64.9%, p < 0.001) and untreated depression (67.2% vs 60.7%, p < 0.001), respectively. Anxiety and depression increased from 2021-2024 for HCWs (both p < 0.001). In multivariate regression, compared with non-HCWs, HCWs had higher odds of self-reported anxiety (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.12-1.31) and depression (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.11-1.29). HCWs had increased odds of self-reported untreated anxiety (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.12-1.46) and depression (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.10-1.42) among adults with self-reported anxiety or depression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, HCW status was associated with self-reported anxiety and depression, as well as lower rates of treatment. The prevalence of anxiety and depression significantly increased over the study period. These findings underscore the importance of structural interventions in protecting the mental well-being of the healthcare workforce.