A new study published in the journal of BMC Psychiatry showed that adults diagnosed with depression before
the age of 16 had a 31% increased chance of developing new chronic illnesses
beyond the age of 65.

Depression that began in
childhood has been identified as a possible risk factor for poor health
outcomes in later life. Long-term physiological and behavioural changes, like dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, chronic inflammation,
and poor lifestyle habits, can be brought on by early-life mood disorders and
put people at risk for chronic illnesses as they age.

According to recent
studies, those who experienced depression as children are more likely to
acquire neurodegenerative illnesses, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
beyond the age of 65. Comprehending this correlation highlights the enduring
influence of early mental health and the necessity of prompt intervention to
reduce late-life illness. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between newly diagnosed
chronic illnesses beyond age 65 and depression that began in infancy.

Data from 15 waves
(1992–2018) of the Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (HRS) comprised
12,314 respondents. The risk ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI)
were used to estimate the relationship. 8 chronic conditions that were
newly identified beyond the age of 65 were included in the chronic illness
outcomes: hypertension, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, heart
difficulties, stroke, emotional/psychiatric disorders, and arthritis.

1.   
The results demonstrated that individuals with
childhood-onset depression had a significantly higher risk of newly diagnosed
chronic diseases after age 65 than those without it (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.12–1.52
p < 0.01). 2.  Additionally, newly diagnosed chronic lung
diseases (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.04–2.16, p-value (Bonferroni) = 0.002)
and emotional/psychiatric problems (RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.34–3.31, p-value
(Bonferroni) =0.05/8 is significant).

Overall, childhood-onset depression has long-term
negative effects on later life and is linked to the risk of newly
diagnosed chronic illnesses after age 65, including cancer, chronic lung
disease, and emotional/psychiatric issues. Chronic illness onset, progression,
and prognosis are all significantly impacted by depression. 

Source:

Li, Z., Liu, Z., Luo, Y., Wei, Z., Huang, R., He, L., Li, R., Hu, X., & Peng, X. (2025). Childhood-onset depression and newly diagnosed chronic diseases after age 65: a large longitudinal cohort study. BMC Psychiatry, 25(1), 1025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07494-9