The research proposal seeks to determine if race and ethnicity is the cause of difference in depression treatment and the rate of depression diagnosis among the elderly population. The proposal also wants to see if these differences are mediated by the individual’s insurance coverage or their perception of seeking medical care from their primary care physician. It will take approximately two years for the research study to be completed. The first year of the research study will consist of collecting data from 4,000 participants, with each race (Hispanics, Non-Hispanic White, African Americans and other) to be equally represented of n = 1,000 per race. The research study will enable future researchers and health care specialists to identify
