NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2015—Brazilian adults with private insurance are more likely to receive a depression diagnosis than those with public insurance, according to new findings from Kantar Health’s National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS). The research will be presented today at the ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research) 5th Latin America Conference in Santiago, Chile.
“Previous research conducted in Brazil suggests that people with lower educational levels and socioeconomic status are more likely to suffer from psychiatric conditions, including depression, than those in the upper and middle classes,” said Hillary Gross, senior research services analyst, Kantar Health. “However, who is getting diagnosed is a different story. Our research from NHWS has found that 57 percent of the diagnosed depression patients had private insurance.”
Brazilians who have private insurance are more likely to see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist, to treat their depression than those with public insurance. In addition, depression patients with private insurance have lower depression severity scores and higher mental quality of life than patients covered under public insurance.
“By seeing specialists rather than general practitioners, privately insured depression patients may be receiving more appropriate treatment for their condition, leading to better outcomes,” Gross said. “Universal healthcare in Brazil has improved healthcare utilization and general population health, but our findings suggest universal coverage does not automatically lead to universal care. This can lead to undiagnosed patients, patients being diagnosed only when their disease is severe, or inadequate access to proper treatment. More funds need to be allocated to public healthcare in Brazil to ensure more equal coverage and help prevent these issues.”
About the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS)
The study’s results were drawn from the 2014 Brazil NHWS, a nationally representative, self-administered survey conducted annually. Respondents were provided with a list of conditions and asked which they had experienced and been diagnosed with. Topics covered include the health status, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes among adults 18 or older.
Kantar Health conducts the NHWS in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. The survey is the largest self-reported dataset in the healthcare industry.
About Kantar Health
Kantar Health is a leading global healthcare consulting firm and trusted advisor to many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device and diagnostic companies. It combines evidence-based research capabilities with deep scientific, therapeutic and clinical knowledge, commercial development know-how, and brand and marketing expertise to help clients evaluate opportunities, launch products and maintain brand and market leadership.
Kantar Health deeply understands the influence of patients, payers and physicians, especially as they relate to the performance and payment of medicines and the delivery of healthcare services. Its 600+ healthcare industry specialists work across the product lifecycle, from preclinical development to launch, acting as catalysts to successful decision-making in life sciences and helping clients prioritize their product development and portfolio activities, differentiate their brands and drive product success post-launch. Kantar Health is part of Kantar, the data investment management division of WPP. For more information, please visit www.kantarhealth.com.