Despite the significant
impact of maternal depression on mothers and children alike, maternal mental health needs are often neglected or undiagnosed.18 Prevalence rates of maternal depression are high among
low - income
women due to the greater challenges they may face related to financial hardships,
low levels of community or familial support, and societal prejudice.19 In fact, the prevalence of maternal depression among
low - income
women in the United States is double the prevalence rate for all U.S.
women.20 At the same time, these
women are less likely to receive treatment or be screened for postpartum depression.21 Studies show there are clear racial and ethnic disparities in who accesses treatment in the United States, even among
women of the same general socio - economic status: In a multiethnic cohort of
lower - income Medicaid recipients, 9 percent of white
women sought treatment, compared
with 4 percent of African American
women and 5 percent of Latinas.22