Depression and Loneliness among the Elderly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
利用七个中低收入国家（及美国对比）的纵向调查数据，发现55岁以上人群抑郁症状普遍且随年龄增长加剧，抑郁与日常活动能力下降和死亡风险上升相关。结合泰米尔纳德邦的专项调查，揭示社会隔离、贫困和身体健康问题是抑郁的主要关联因素，并讨论了政策干预方向。
We combine data from longitudinal surveys in seven low- and middle-income countries (plus the United States for comparison) to document that depressive symptoms among those aged 55 and above are prevalent in those countries and, unlike in the United States, increase sharply with age. Depressive symptoms in one survey wave are associated with a greater decline in ability to carry out basic daily activities and a higher probability of death in the next wave. Using additional data from a panel survey we conducted in Tamil Nadu with a focus on elderly living alone, we document that social isolation, poverty, and physical health challenges are strongly correlated with depression. We discuss potential policy interventions in these three domains, including some results from our randomized control trials in the Tamil Nadu sample.