Agency for Healthcare 

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Research and Quality 

STATISTICAL BRIEF #76

May 2005 

Trends in Antidepressant Use by the 

U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized 

Population, 1997 and 2002 

Marie N. Stagnitti, MPA 

Introduction 

This Statistical Brief summarizes data that indicate a significant 

growth in the use of antidepressants among the U.S. civilian 

noninstitutionalized (community) population when comparing the 

years 1997 and 2002. The brief further compares estimates of 

antidepressant use by various demographic and socioeconomic 

subgroups of the U.S. community population for 1997 and 2002. 

The data used to estimate the proportion of the population that 

purchased an antidepressant prescribed medicine are derived from 

the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 

(MEPS-HC) for 1997 and 2002. All differences between estimates 

discussed in the text are statistically significant at the 0.05 level. 

Over-the-counter medicines and free samples are not included in 

these estimates. 

Findings 

In 1997, 5.6 percent of the 271.3 million persons in the U.S. civilian 

noninstitutionalized population purchased at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine, while in 2002, 8.5 percent of 288.2 million 

persons had at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine 

purchase (figure 1). 

There were increases in the use of antidepressants by both males 

and females when comparing 1997 with 2002. Use by females 

increased from 7.4 percent to 11.4 percent, and use by males 

increased from 3.8 percent to 5.4 percent (figure 2). 

When looking at 1997 and 2002, antidepressant use increased for 

non-elderly adults age 18 to 64 (6.8 percent to 10.3 percent) and the 

elderly age 65 and older (9.3 percent to 13.2 percent) (figure 3). 

However, for children age 17 and under, antidepressant use did not 

change significantly between 1997 and 2002. 

Antidepressant use increased for white non-Hispanics (6.8 percent 

versus 10.6 percent) and persons in the other non-Hispanic category 

(1.4 percent versus 5.4 percent) when comparing the years 1997 

Highlights 

� The percentage of the U.S. 

civilian noninstitutionalized 

population using an antidepressant increased from 

5.6 percent to 8.5 percent 

when comparing 1997 with 

2002. 

� When comparing 1997 with 

2002, the percentage of 

females using antidepressants increased from 7.4 

percent to 11.4 percent. 

� Between 1997 and 2002, 

antidepressant use 

increased for the elderly 

(those age 65 and older), 

rising from 9.3 percent to 

13.2 percent, and for nonelderly adults (those age 18 

to 64), rising from 6.8 

percent to 10.3 percent. 

� Antidepressant use 

increased for white nonHispanics (6.8 percent 

versus 10.6 percent) 

between 1997 and 2002. 

� When comparing 1997 with 

2002, the percentage of 

persons using antidepressants increased for both 

insured and uninsured 

individuals and across all 

poverty status classifications. 
and 2002 (figure 4). However, when comparing the same two years, antidepressant use did not change 

significantly for black non-Hispanics or Hispanics. 

When looking at antidepressant use by insurance status for the years 1997 and 2002, there were 

increases for both insured and uninsured persons. For those with any private insurance, antidepressant 

use increased from 5.6 percent to 8.5 percent; for those with public insurance only, antidepressant use 

increased from 8.2 percent to 11.0 percent; and for the uninsured, antidepressant use increased from 2.8 

percent to 4.7 percent (figure 5). 

Antidepressant use increased for all poverty status classifications when comparing the years 1997 and 

2002. Antidepressant use increased from 6.4 percent to 9.8 percent for the poor, from 5.8 percent to 11.0 

percent for the near poor, from 5.2 percent to 8.3 percent for those with low incomes, from 5.3 percent to 

7.7 percent for those with middle incomes, and from 5.8 percent to 8.5 percent for those with high 

incomes (figure 6). 

Definitions/Methodology 

Use 

Use was defined as one or more household-reported purchases of an antidepressant prescribed 

medicine. 

Age 

Age was usually based on the sample person’s age at the end of the year. If the person was not in the 

survey at the end of the year, then age at the time they were last in the survey was used. 

Racial and ethnic classifications 

Classification by race and ethnicity was based on information reported for each family member. Respondents were asked if each family member's race was best described as American Indian, Alaska Native, 

Asian or Pacific Islander, black, white, or other. They also were asked if each family member's main 

national origin or ancestry was Puerto Rican; Cuban; Mexican, Mexicano, Mexican American, or Chicano; 

other Latin American; or other Spanish. All persons whose main national origin or ancestry was reported 

in one of these Hispanic groups, regardless of racial background, were classified as Hispanic. Since the 

Hispanic grouping can include black Hispanic, white Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islanders Hispanic, and 

other Hispanic, the race categories of black, white, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and other do not include 

Hispanic. Beginning in 2002, MEPS respondents were allowed to report multiple races, and these 

persons were included in the other non-Hispanic category. As a result, there was a slight increase in the 

percentage of persons classified in this category in 2002 compared with prior years. 

Health insurance status 

– Private coverage: Private health insurance coverage was defined as nonpublic insurance that 

provided coverage for hospital and physician care (including Medigap coverage). 

– Public only coverage: People were considered to have public only health insurance coverage if they 

were not covered by private insurance, and they were covered by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, 

or other public hospital and physician coverage. 

– Uninsured: People who did not have insurance coverage at any time during the survey year were 

classified as uninsured. People who were covered only by noncomprehensive State-specific 

programs (e.g., Maryland Kidney Disease Program) or private single service plans (e.g., coverage 

for dental or vision care only, coverage for accidents or specific diseases) were considered to be 

uninsured. 

Poverty status 

Each sample person was classified according to the total yearly income of his or her family. Within a 

household, all individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption were considered to be a family. 

Personal income from all family members was summed to create family income. Poverty status is the 

ratio of family income to the Federal poverty thresholds, which control for family size and age of the head 

of family. Categories are defined as follows: 

– Poor: Persons in families with income less than or equal to the poverty line, including those who 

reported negative income 

– Near poor: Persons in families with income over the poverty line through 125 percent of the 

poverty line 
– Low income: Persons in families with income over 125 percent through 200 percent of the 

poverty line 

– Middle income: Persons in families with income over 200 percent through 400 percent of the 

poverty line 

– High income: Persons in families with income over 400 percent of the poverty line

About MEPS-HC 

MEPS-HC is a nationally representative longitudinal survey that collects detailed information on health 

care utilization and expenditures, health insurance, and health status, as well as a wide variety of social, 

demographic, and economic characteristics for the civilian noninstitutionalized population. It is cosponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Center for Health Statistics. 

For more information about MEPS, call the MEPS information coordinator at AHRQ (301-427-1656) or 

visit the MEPS Web site at http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/. 

References 

For a detailed description of the MEPS-HC survey design, sample design, and methods used to minimize 

sources on nonsampling error, see the following publications: 

Cohen, J. Design and Methods of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. MEPS 

Methodology Report No. 1. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0026. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Health Care Policy and 

Research, 1997. 

Cohen, S. Sample Design of the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. MEPS 

Methodology Report No. 2. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0027. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Health Care Policy and 

Research, 1997. 

Cohen, S. Design Strategies and Innovations in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Medical Care, 

July 2003: 41(7) Supplement: III-5–III-12. 

Suggested Citation 

Stagnitti, M. N. Trends in Antidepressant Use by the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 1997 

and 2002. Statistical Brief #76. May 2005. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Md. 

http://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st76/stat76.pdf 
the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 1997 and 2002 

Figure 1. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized 

population with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine 

purchase, 1997 and 2002 

5.6 

8.5 

0 

5 

10 

15 

1997 2002 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of 

the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 1997 and 2002 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by sex, 1997 and 2002 

3.8 

7.4 

5.4 

0 

5 

10 

15 

Male Female 

1997 2002 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of 

Figure 2. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 

11.4 
the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 1997 and 2002 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by age, 1997 and 2002 

9.3 

10.3 

13.2 

1.2 

6.8 

1.7 

0 

5 

10 

15 

Age 17 and under Age 65 and over 

1997 2002 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of 

Figure 3. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 

Age 18-64 

the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 1997 and 2002 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

1997 and 2002 

2.7 3.0 

1.4 

4.0 3.6 

5.4 

6.8 

0 

5 

10 

15 

White nonHispanic Black nonHispanic Hispanic Other nonHispanic 

1997 2002 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of 

Figure 4. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 

by race/ethnicity, 

10.6 
the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 1997 and 2002 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by insurance status, 1997 and 2002 

2.8 

4.7 

8.2 

5.6 

8.5 

0 

5 

10 

15 

Public only Uninsured 

1997 2002 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of 

Figure 5. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 

11.0 

Any private 

the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 1997 and 2002 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by poverty status, 1997 and 2002 

5.2 5.3 5.8 

11.0 

8.3 7.7 8.5 

6.4 5.8 

9.8 

0 

5 

10 

15 

Poor Near poor Low 

income 

Middle 

income 

High 

income 

1997 2002 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of 

Figure 6. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population