USPSTF Recommends Counseling To Prevent Perinatal Depression In At-Risk Women

The New York Times (2/12, Belluck) reports the United States Preventive Services Task Force issued a recommendation for cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapy as preventive measures against perinatal depression. More serious than postpartum depression, perinatal depression impacts between 180,000 and 800,000 US women annually during pregnancy or after, and has health implications for both mother and child. The USPSTF “recommended counseling for women with one or more of a broad range of risk factors, including a personal or family history of depression; recent stresses like divorce or economic strain; traumatic experiences like domestic violence; or depressive symptoms that don’t constitute a full-blown diagnosis.” The recommendation was published in JAMA.

The Wall Street Journal (2/12, Abbott, Subscription Publication) reports most insurance plans must follow guidelines issued by the USPSTF, and therefore per the recommendation, preventive therapy for at-risk pregnant women or new mothers should be covered without a copay. Moreover, previous recommendations have focused attention on women already experiencing signs of depression, while the new recommendation targets at-risk women for preventive interventions.

The AP (2/12) reports perinatal depression impacts as many as one in seven women. Meanwhile, “an accompanying editorial cautions that most women won’t have easy access to specialists and may need options such as counseling via smartphone.”

The New York Times (2/12, Belluck) separately posts a guide to using the recommendations and how and where to get help for potential perinatal depression.

Related Links:

— “Depression During and After Pregnancy Can Be Prevented, National Panel Says. Here’s How, “Pam Belluck, The New York Times, February 12, 2019

Posted in In The News.