Citation

Stankov I, Yang Y, Langellier BA, Purtle J, Nelson KL, Diez Roux AV. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3600 Market St, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00127-019-01701-1

PMID

30918978

Abstract

PURPOSE: To: (1) explore how multi-level factors impact the longitudinal prevalence of depression and alcohol misuse among urban older adults (≥ 65 years), and (2) simulate the impact of alcohol taxation policies and targeted interventions that increase social connectedness among excessive drinkers, socially isolated and depressed older adults; both alone and in combination.

METHODS: An agent-based model was developed to explore the temporal co-evolution of depression and alcohol misuse prevalence among older adults nested in a spatial network. The model was based on Los Angeles and calibrated longitudinally using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

RESULTS: Interventions with a social component targeting depressed and socially isolated older adults appeared more effective in curbing depression prevalence than those focused on excessive drinkers. Targeting had similar impacts on alcohol misuse, though the effects were marginal compared to those on depression. Alcohol taxation alone had little impact on either depression or alcohol misuse trajectories.

CONCLUSIONS: Interventions that improve social connectedness may reduce the prevalence of depression among older adults. Targeting considerations could play an important role in determining the success of such efforts.

Language: en

Keywords

Agent-based model; Chronic disease; Complex systems; Health policy; Mental health