Agency for Healthcare 

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Research and Quality 

STATISTICAL BRIEF #77 

May 2005 

Antidepressant Use in the U.S. Civilian 

Noninstitutionalized Population, 2002 

Marie N. Stagnitti, MPA 

Introduction 

This Statistical Brief examines variations in the percentage of 

persons in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population who 

used antidepressants in 2002, by select person characteristics. The 

person characteristics analyzed in the brief include age, race/ 

ethnicity, sex, insurance status, perceived health status, perceived 

mental health status, and marital status. 

The data used to produce the estimates in this brief are derived 

from the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel 

Survey (MEPS-HC) for 2002. Over-the-counter medicines and free 

samples are not included in these estimates. Results discussed are 

statistically significant at the 0.05 level. 

Findings 

In 2002, 8.5 percent of the 288.2 million persons in the U.S. civilian 

noninstitutionalized population purchased at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine (figure 1). 

In 2002, a higher percentage of the elderly age 65 and older used 

an antidepressant (13.2 percent) than non-elderly adults age 18 to 

64 (10.3 percent). Both elderly and non-elderly adults had a higher 

percentage of those using an antidepressant in 2002 than children 

less than 18 years old (1.7 percent). (figure 1) 

The percentage of white non-Hispanics using an antidepressant 

(10.6 percent) was more than double the percentage of black nonHispanics (4.0 percent) and Hispanics (3.6 percent) using an 

antidepressant in 2002 and was nearly twice the percentage of 

other races non-Hispanic using an antidepressant (5.4 percent), as 

well. Moreover, the percentage of other races non-Hispanic using 

an antidepressant was higher than the percentage of Hispanics 

using an antidepressant in 2002 (5.4 percent versus 3.6 percent). 

(figure 2) 

In 2002, the percentage of females using an antidepressant (11.4 

percent) was more than double the percentage of males using an 

antidepressant (5.4 percent) (figure 3). 

Highlights 

� In 2002, 8.5 percent of the U.S. 

civilian noninstitutionalized population used an antidepressant. 

� A higher percentage of the 

elderly used an antidepressant 

(13.2 percent) than both nonelderly adults (10.3 percent) and 

children (1.7 percent). 

� The percentage of white nonHispanics using an antidepressant (10.6 percent) was more 

than double the percentage of 

black non-Hispanics (4.0 percent) and Hispanics using an 

antidepressant (3.6 percent).

� The percentage of females using 

an antidepressant (11.4 percent) 

was more than twice as large as 

the percentage of males using an 

antidepressant (5.4 percent). 

� The percentage of persons with 

only public insurance using an 

antidepressant (11.0 percent) 

was higher than those with any 

private insurance (8.5 percent) or 

those who were uninsured using 

an antidepressant (4.7 percent). 

� The percentage of persons 

reported as being in fair or poor 

mental health using an antidepressant (32.6 percent) was over 

four times higher than those 

reported as being in excellent, 

very good, or good mental health 

(6.9 percent).

� The percentage of persons who 

were married at one time but 

were no longer married who were 

using an antidepressant (15.3 

percent) was higher than those 

who were currently married (10.6 

percent) or single using an 

antidepressant (6.9 percent). 
A higher percentage of those with public insurance only used an antidepressant (11.0 percent) than those 

with any private insurance (8.5 percent) and the uninsured (4.7 percent) in 2002. Moreover, a higher 

percentage of persons with any private insurance used an antidepressant than the uninsured in 2002 (8.5 

percent versus 4.7 percent). (figure 4) 

In 2002, the percentage of those persons reported as being in fair or poor health using an antidepressant 

(23.9 percent) was more than three and one-half times the percentage for those persons reported as 

being in excellent, very good, and good health and using an antidepressant (6.6 percent) (figure 5). 

Moreover, the percentage of those persons reported as being in fair or poor mental health using an 

antidepressant (32.6 percent) was more than four times the percentage for those persons reported as 

being in excellent, very good, and good mental health status and using an antidepressant (6.9 percent) in 

2002 (figure 6). 

In 2002, for those persons age 16 and older, the percentage of those who at one time were married but 

were no longer married (widowed, divorced, or separated) and who were using an antidepressant (15.3 

percent) was more than double the percentage of those who were single and using an antidepressant 

(6.9 percent) and was higher than the percentage of those who were married and using an antidepressant (10.6 percent). Moreover, the percentage of those age 16 and older who were married and using an 

antidepressant (10.6 percent) was higher than the percentage of those who were single using an 

antidepressant (6.9 percent). (figure 7) 

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. 

Perceived health status 

In every round, the respondent was asked to rate the health of every member of the family. The exact 

wording of the question was: “In general, compared to other people of (PERSON)’s age, would you say 

that (PERSON)’s health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?” For this report, the response 
categories “excellent,” “very good,” and “good” were collapsed into one category, as were the response 

categories “fair” and “poor.” 

Perceived mental health status 

In every round, the respondent was asked to rate the mental health of every member of the family. The 

exact wording of the question was: “In general, would you say that (PERSON)’s mental health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?” For this report, the response categories “excellent,” “very good,” and 

“good” were collapsed into one category, as were the response categories “fair” and “poor.” 

Marital status 

Current marital status was collected and/or updated during every round of the MEPS interview. If marital 

status of a specified round differed from that of the previous round, then the marital status of the specified 

round was edited to reflect a change during the round (e.g., married in round, divorced in round, separated in round, or widowed in round). Marital status was not asked of persons under the age of 16. For 

this report, the category no longer married included those that were widowed, divorced or separated. 

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. Antidepressant Use in the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 2002. Statistical 

Brief #77. May 2005. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Md. 

http://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st77/stat77.pdf 
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002. 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by age, 2002 

1.7 

10.3 

13.2 

8.5 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

Overall Age 17 and 

under 

Age 18 to 64 Age 65 and 

over 

Percent 

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

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

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002. 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

4.0 3.6 5.4 

10.6 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

White non- Black non- Other races 

Percent 

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

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

by race/ethnicity, 2002 

Hispanic Hispanic 

Hispanic 

non-Hispanic 
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002. 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by sex, 2002 

5.4 

11.4 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

Female 

Percent 

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

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

Male 

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002. 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by insurance status, 2002 

11.0 

4.7 

8.5 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

Any private Public only Uninsured 

Percent 

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

Figure 4. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002. 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by perceived health status, 2002 

23.9 

6.6 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

Excellent/Very good/Good Fair/Poor 

Percent 

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

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

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002. 

with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine purchase, 

by perceived mental health status, 2002 

32.6 

6.9 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

Excellent/Very good/Good Fair/Poor 

Percent 

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

Figure 6. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002. 

10.6 

15.3 

6.9 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

Single No longer married 

Percent 

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

Figure 7. Percentage of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 

age 16 and older with at least one antidepressant prescribed medicine 

purchase, by marital status, 2002 

Married