Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3808

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Cohen D, Hoeller K.
Screening for depression: preventive medicine or telemarketing?
Ethical Hum Sci Serv 2003 Spr; 5:(1):3-6

Abstract:

In this editorial, the authors critically examine a recent recommendation by the United States Preventive Services Task Force that all adults visiting primary care practitioners be routinely “screened” for depression. Drug industry funding for depression screening campaigns, popular but unproven assertions that depression is a “biochemical disorder,” and the banality of antidepressant prescribing are seen to motivate the proposal. The full report cited by the Task Force omits information on the lack of effectiveness of antidepressants compared to placebo and recognizes that the potential harms of screening have not been studied.

Keywords:
Adult Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* Depression/diagnosis* Depression/drug therapy* Drug Industry/economics* Family Practice Financial Support Health Policy Health Services Misuse Humans Marketing*/methods Mass Screening*/adverse effects United States United States Public Health Service