A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that everyday discrimination significantly increases the risk of anxiety and depression across all demographic groups in the United States. The research, led by Monica Wang from Boston University, analyzed data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey, which included nearly 30,000 U.S. adults. The study found that 56% of participants experienced at least occasional everyday discrimination, with 3.6% facing high levels of discrimination frequently.
Everyday discrimination refers to subtle, routine ways people are treated unfairly based on characteristics such as skin color, perceived background, or general appearance. Examples include waiting longer for help at a store, having ideas dismissed at work, or hearing rude comments about one’s identity. While marginalized groups endure everyday discrimination most often, the study indicates that this issue affects people of all races and backgrounds.
The findings show that individuals who frequently encounter everyday discrimination are five times more likely to screen positive for either depression or anxiety, and nearly nine times more likely to screen positive for both. High levels of discrimination were most prevalent among Black adults (8.6%), followed by multiracial respondents (6.4%), Hispanics and Whites (about 3%), and Asians (just over 2%).
The study underscores the pervasive impact of everyday discrimination on mental health, highlighting the need for public health strategies that address these subtle yet harmful experiences. By understanding and mitigating everyday discrimination, policymakers can help improve mental health outcomes for all Americans.
See: “Everyday discrimination linked to increased anxiety and depression across all groups of Americans” (March 28, 2025)