A comprehensive systematic review highlights a troubling intersection of mental and physical health disparities in Black women, revealing that depression and loneliness are significant—and often overlooked contributors to hypertension and poor cardiovascular outcomes.
Hypertension, known as the “silent killer,” affects nearly 120 million people in the U.S. and disproportionately impacts Black women. Over 50% of Black women live with high blood pressure, compared to just 39% of non-Hispanic white women. Yet, only a quarter of those affected have their blood pressure under control.
Researchers at the George Washington University analyzed 23 quantitative studies published between 2008 and 2023. It focused exclusively on U.S. based data related to Black women with diagnosed hypertension.
Key Findings:
- Heightened Risk: Black women with hypertension face significantly higher risks of depression and report high levels of loneliness.
- Screening Gaps: Common depression screening tools may not capture how Black women express depressive symptoms, leading to under diagnosis or misdiagnosis.
- Loneliness as a Predictor: Studies show loneliness is not only linked to depression but may directly elevate blood pressure, especially among midlife and older women.
- Systemic Barriers to Care: Black women, particularly those without insurance, are less likely to receive treatment for depression and are more likely to encounter physicians who fail to address psychosocial concerns.
- Clinical Recommendations: The study calls for depression and loneliness screenings to be routinely incorporated into chronic illness management, and for care teams to be trained in culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches.
“This research underscores the urgent need to rethink how we screen for and treat depression in Black women with hypertension,” said Lashawn Hutto, lead author of the study and GW Nursing PhD program student. “Standard tools miss too many women who are silently suffering. We must adopt culturally responsive approaches that recognize how racism, loneliness, and emotional distress are deeply intertwined with physical health.”
"A Systemic Review of Quantitative Studies of Depression and Loneliness in Black Women with Hypertension in the United States" was published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
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