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Care workers have high rate of depression

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From Times Wire Reports

People who tend to the elderly, change diapers and serve up food and drinks have the highest rates of depression among U.S. workers.

Overall, 7% of full-time workers battled depression in the past year, according to a new government report. Women were more likely than men to have had a major bout of depression, and younger workers had higher rates of depression than their older colleagues.

Almost 11% of personal care workers -- which includes child care and helping the elderly and severely disabled with their daily needs -- reported depression lasting two weeks or longer.

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Workers who prepare and serve food -- cooks, bartenders, waiters and waitresses -- had the second highest rate of depression among full-time employees at 10.3%.

The lowest rate of depression, 4.3%, occurred in the job category that covers engineers, architects and surveyors.

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