Prevalence and Treatment of Anxiety and Depression Among US Healthcare Workers, 2021–2024
By
John C. Lin
Chloe Gao
Anthony Zhong
Jaya Aysola
Judith A. Long
May 11, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: The Incidence and Management of Anxiety and Depression in US Healthcare Professionals, 2021–2024
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Anxiety and Depression among Healthcare Workers Key Mechanisms High stress, burnout, moral distress, and mental health stigma Target Population Healthcare workers (HCWs) in the US Care Setting Non-institutionalized settings
Key Highlights
Higher prevalence of anxiety (23.3%) and depression (22.3%) in HCWs compared to non-HCWs 72.1% of HCWs with anxiety and 67.2% with depression reported being untreated 86.8% of HCWs with anxiety or depression did not receive medications or counseling Self-reported anxiety and depression among HCWs increased from 2021 to 2024 HCW status associated with higher odds of untreated anxiety (OR: 1.28) and depression (OR: 1.25) Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize standardized measures of mental health diagnoses in surveys Management
Address barriers to treatment such as stigma and confidentiality concerns Monitoring & Follow-up
Regularly assess mental health status among HCWs Risks
Monitor for increased risk of untreated anxiety and depression in HCWs Patient & Prescribing Data
Healthcare workers aged 18-64
Significant undertreatment of anxiety and depression due to various barriers
Clinical Best Practices
Encourage open discussions about mental health in healthcare settings Implement support systems for HCWs to seek mental health care Provide training to reduce stigma associated with mental health issues Related Resources & Content
