Depression and anxiety during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in two large, prospective, aging cohorts in rural and urban India.

Multi-fold increase in depression among aging, rural Indians during first and second waves, with high depression among subjects ≥65 years and those with comorbidities during the first wave, is concerning. Urgent public health measures are needed to address this added mental health burden and thereby, prevent further potential adverse consequences.