Prenatal depression screening uptake increased but diverged across language groups from 2019 to 2024

A retrospective cohort study analyzed 99,526 pregnancies (82,632 individuals) at or beyond 20 weeks gestation in a large U.S. Midwest healthcare system from 2019 to 2024. The study examined screening uptake for prenatal depression across three preferred language groups: English, Spanish, and Another Language. In 2019, screening probabilities were similar across groups: English 0.50, Spanish 0.48, and Another Language 0.50.

By 2024, screening probabilities had increased substantially but diverged across language groups: English 0.81, Spanish 0.66, and Another Language 0.71. The difference in screening uptake increases across language groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). The study did not report specific safety or tolerability data related to screening.

Key limitations include the observational design, which cannot establish causality, and the single healthcare system setting, which may limit generalizability. The study did not report absolute numbers of screened patients or detailed demographic characteristics beyond language preference. No information was provided about funding sources or author conflicts of interest.

For clinical practice, these findings suggest that while overall screening for prenatal depression has increased, disparities persist based on language preference. Unequal screening uptake may systematically under-identify prenatal depression among patients with non-English language preference, potentially affecting equitable access to psychiatric care. Clinicians should be aware of these disparities in their screening practices.