Bloomberg Businessweek Predicting Risk of Postpartum Depression
Mar 6, 2026
Dr. Lauren Osborne, a reproductive psychiatrist at Weill Cornell studying mental health around pregnancy. She discusses how common postpartum depression is and why it is often missed. She explores treatment options including new hormone-based drugs. She explains research on neuroactive steroid blood markers that might predict risk during late pregnancy and the importance of partner support.
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PPD Is Common But Largely Untreated
- Postpartum depression (PPD) affects about 15–20% of birthing people in industrialized countries.
- Despite this high prevalence, only ~3% of women with PPD are treated to remission due to underdiagnosis and limited access to care.
Research Gaps Drive Missed PPD Care
- Women's health research has lagged, contributing to gaps in understanding and treating postpartum depression.
- NIH only mandated female animals in studies in 2014, illustrating how recently research began including women systematically.
Deliver Proven Treatments Early And Accessibly
- Offer evidence-based treatments early: psychotherapy, traditional antidepressants, and new hormone-based drugs.
- Make access easier so available effective treatments actually reach postpartum people when needed.