The Impact of Health Insurance on Depression Among Adults Aged 18-64 with Metabolic Syndrome
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Introduction. The high potential and actuality of comorbidity in Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and depression is associated with a complex web of symptomology and increased health risk. Access to healthcare is essential to managing chronic conditions, but access to medical facilities and care is largely determined by the possession of health insurance. However, the relationship between various insurance types and depressive symptoms, specifically in populations managing chronic illnesses such as MetS, remains under-examined. Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between MetS status, severity of depression, and health insurance type. It was hypothesized that adults with private insurance would exhibit lower depression scores when compared to individuals with government-funded insurance or no insurance.
Method. Using adult (18-64) data from the August 2021-August 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a two-way ANOVA test was conducted to examine the effects of health insurance type (Government, Medicaid, Military, Private, State, Uninsured) and MetS status on mean PHQ-9 depression scores.
Results. Analysis revealed a significant main effect of health insurance type on depression scores (p < .001). MetS status did not significantly impact depression (p = 0.858), and no significant relationship was found between insurance and MetS (p = 0.113). Post-hoc results determined that individuals with private insurance had significantly lower depression scores than those with Medicaid (p = .001) or State insurance (p = .007).
Discussion. Our results indicate a relationship between type of insurance and mean depression scores, suggesting a link between socioeconomic factors that impact individuals’ level of insurance coverage and depressive symptoms.
Recommended Citation
Gardiner, Elayna; Wilson, Zachary; Grant, Nathalia; and Hebert, George, "The Impact of Health Insurance on Depression Among Adults Aged 18-64 with Metabolic Syndrome" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 19.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/19
The Impact of Health Insurance on Depression Among Adults Aged 18-64 with Metabolic Syndrome
Introduction. The high potential and actuality of comorbidity in Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and depression is associated with a complex web of symptomology and increased health risk. Access to healthcare is essential to managing chronic conditions, but access to medical facilities and care is largely determined by the possession of health insurance. However, the relationship between various insurance types and depressive symptoms, specifically in populations managing chronic illnesses such as MetS, remains under-examined. Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between MetS status, severity of depression, and health insurance type. It was hypothesized that adults with private insurance would exhibit lower depression scores when compared to individuals with government-funded insurance or no insurance.
Method. Using adult (18-64) data from the August 2021-August 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a two-way ANOVA test was conducted to examine the effects of health insurance type (Government, Medicaid, Military, Private, State, Uninsured) and MetS status on mean PHQ-9 depression scores.
Results. Analysis revealed a significant main effect of health insurance type on depression scores (p < .001). MetS status did not significantly impact depression (p = 0.858), and no significant relationship was found between insurance and MetS (p = 0.113). Post-hoc results determined that individuals with private insurance had significantly lower depression scores than those with Medicaid (p = .001) or State insurance (p = .007).
Discussion. Our results indicate a relationship between type of insurance and mean depression scores, suggesting a link between socioeconomic factors that impact individuals’ level of insurance coverage and depressive symptoms.