Spatial distribution of anxiety and depression and determinants of high-risk areas in a Swiss urban population, 2023-2025

Noé Fellay, Lina Jawal, Philippe Voruz, Hélène Baysson, Stephanie Schrempft, Roxane Dumont, Silvia Stringhini, Stéphane Joost, Mayssam Nehme, Idris Guessous
Spatial clustering of anxiety and depression and determinants of high-risk areas in a Swiss urban population, 2023-2025Journalof Affective Disorders, July 2026https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.121623

Summary of the study:

Objective

Anxiety and depression are among the leading causes of the global burden of mental health. In urban settings, they may be concentrated in areas where socio-demographic vulnerabilities and adverse environmental exposures, including air pollution and noise, accumulate. However, few studies have examined their spatial distribution or 'clusters/spatial groupings' in high-income urban contexts.

Methods

Between 2023 and 2025, we analysed longitudinal data on 6057 adults from the Specchio population-based study in Geneva, Switzerland. The prevalence and distribution of anxiety (GAD-2 ≥ 3) and depression (PHQ-2 ≥ 3) were assessed. Spatial clustering was examined using the spatial and spatio-temporal relative risk (sparr) method. Generalized estimating equations were then used to identify sociodemographic, psychosocial and environmental risk factors.

Results

Among the 6057 respondents (mean age 51.8; 59% female), the prevalence of anxiety was 13.5%, 14.1% and 12.1%, and that of depression was 9.9%, 9.4% and 8.1% in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Areas at high risk of anxiety and depression were observed in the centre of Geneva. After adjusting for age, sex and level of education, the high-risk areas for depression decreased slightly, while those for anxiety remained similar. These areas were associated with more unfavourable environmental exposures and socioeconomic disadvantages.

Conclusions

In Geneva, areas with a combination of environmental stress and socio-economic disadvantage had a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression. These results underline the importance of targeted interventions combining social and environmental levers to reduce mental health inequalities in urban areas.

Link to the article in English

This text was automatically translated from French using artificial intelligence