Federal Agency Recommends Depression Testing for All Adults

A federal task force is recommending that all adults get screened for depression.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force "...recommends screening for depression in the general adult population, including pregnant and postpartum women. Screening should be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and appropriate followup."

In a note on the USPSTF's website officials give the recommendation a grade "B," which means that the agency says that its researchers believe that there is a "high certainty" that the potential to help the public is "moderate to substantial."

The agency cites the fact that "[d]epression is among the leading causes of disability in persons age 15 years or older."