Australians may be living longer, however ensuring those additional years are characterised by good health presents an escalating challenge for public health.
Depression is one of the leading contributors to poor health in older adults, increasing the risk of disability and reducing the quality of life.
Research led by Dr Najmeh Davoodian and Associate Professor Mohammadreza Mohebbi shows why recognising and effectively treating depression in later life matters.
Their findings suggest that appropriate antidepressant treatment can enhance both mental and physical health in older adults and contribute to healthy, longer living.
Supporting mental health may be one of the most effective ways to promote healthy ageing, reduce the burden of age-related illness and help older adults maintain their independence for longer.
Treating more than depression
The research team aimed to understand if antidepressant treatment can improve the number of years older adults live in good health, recognising that mental health plays an important role in physical wellbeing and healthy ageing. Analysing health data from more than 19,000 older adults over a decade, they examined the links between depression, antidepressant treatment and healthy life expectancy.
They found that appropriate antidepressant treatment in older adults with depression added almost three years to healthy life expectancy, resulting in more time independently and in good health without major disability, dementia or death. On average, treating seven older adults with depression resulted in one additional year of healthy, independent living.
These findings highlight the importance of recognising and treating depression in later life, not only to improve mental well-being but also to promote longer, healthier ageing, even when managing chronic disease.
Transforming care for older adults
The study aimed to understand whether treating depression with appropriate antidepressant therapy can extend healthy life expectancy in older adults. Rather than focusing solely on mental health symptoms, it highlights the broader role depression treatment can play in supporting physical health and independence.
Beyond mood, depression can influence the body’s immune and inflammatory systems, making it more difficult to manage chronic conditions and increasing the risk of dementia, memory loss and physical disability. Dr Davoodian notes that depression can often occur alongside chronic conditions and should be part of routine care for ageing populations.
Depression is not just a mental health condition. It can affect the body through stress and inflammation, making it harder for people to stay active, eat well, manage medications and keep up with regular care, which can worsen heart, metabolic, brain and physical health over time.
‘Recognising and treating late-life depression could actually help more older adults remain healthier and more independent for longer’.
Associate Professor Mohebbi says antidepressants are not the only answer.
‘Our research showed that simple lifestyle factors such as eating well, staying active, keeping a healthy weight, not smoking and avoiding too much alcohol, may help protect mental wellbeing.’
‘Supporting older adults with depression should include the right treatment when needed, but also practical lifestyle support to help them stay healthier and independent for longer’.
For families, caregivers, and clinicians, the findings offer new opportunities to support healthier ageing and better quality of life.
Where next?
These findings have attracted substantial media attention and received the IMPACT Outstanding Publication Award and the Cardiovascular Research Network Best Publication Award.
Building on this work, the team is working with people living with depression and their carers to understand their concerns, priorities and experiences with antidepressant treatment.
Guided by what matters most to them, they will investigate the long-term effects of antidepressants on physical health outcomes beyond symptom burden, generating evidence to support safer, more precise treatment decisions for people who are currently using, considering, or may require antidepressant therapy.
This article was originally published in our 2025 Impact Report. Explore the full report.
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