Sat Dec 27 15:47:22 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia demonstrates the potential public health and economic benefits of universal depression screening in India. The study, using modelling techniques and drawing data from national sources, found that integrating depression screening into primary healthcare, particularly at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, could significantly reduce depression prevalence and incidence, avert deaths, and generate substantial cost savings for the nation. The research suggests expanding screening to adults aged 20 and above yields even greater benefits. Key to the program’s success is maintaining diagnostic accuracy, adequately training frontline health workers, and ensuring screened individuals have access to public health facilities.

News Article:

India Could See Billions in Savings, Reduced Depression Rates with Universal Screening: Study

Bengaluru – December 27, 2025 – A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia reveals that universal depression screening at the primary healthcare level could generate significant public health improvements and save India billions of rupees annually. The research, conducted by a collaboration of experts from PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and the National Health Systems Resource Centre, modeled the impact of integrating routine depression screening into the country’s comprehensive primary healthcare system, specifically at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

The study compared universal screening of adults aged 30 and above, and an expanded option covering those aged 20 and above, against the current practice of diagnosing only symptomatic individuals. Findings indicate a two-step assessment using PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 depression screening tools could reduce the annual prevalence of depression by 2.4% and incidence by 5.1% among adults aged 30 and above. Screening individuals aged 20 and above was associated with greater health gains and improved cost-effectiveness.

Professor Girish N. Rao of NIMHANS, a key author of the study, emphasized the significance of the research. “This study demonstrates that the tools to address depression already exist and shows how they can be systematically applied within the healthcare system,” he told The Hindu. Rao highlighted the link between untreated depression and increased suicide risk, as well as worsened outcomes for chronic conditions like diabetes.

The analysis projects that the intervention could avert between 12,826 and 18,340 deaths over a lifetime horizon. From a societal perspective, the program is projected to generate savings of ₹291 billion to ₹482 billion (0.19% to 0.32% of India’s GDP) largely due to reduced productivity losses. Both screening strategies were deemed cost-effective.

The researchers caution that the success of the program hinges on maintaining diagnostic accuracy and providing adequate training for frontline health workers. The study also emphasized the potential benefits of extending screening to individuals aged 20 to 29, who are currently outside universal screening frameworks. If at least 60% of those identified seek care in public health facilities, the program becomes cost-saving even from the health system’s perspective. The findings are expected to inform and accelerate the implementation of routine depression screening within India’s primary healthcare infrastructure.

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