Diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, are becoming an “expanding public health concern,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers said in a new study.
A recent CDC study highlights a significant rise in ADHD diagnoses among U.S. children, with approximately 1 in 9, or 7 million, children diagnosed in 2022. This is an increase of about 1 million diagnoses since 2016. Researchers suggest that greater public awareness and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including family stressors, changes in schooling, and decreased social interactions, might have contributed to this rise.
Historically, boys have been diagnosed with ADHD more frequently than girls. However, data from 2016 to 2021 indicates an increase in ADHD medication prescriptions among girls and teens aged 10 to 19. The study also found that ADHD diagnoses are less common among Asian and Hispanic children compared to other demographics. Children from lower-income households or those on public health insurance had higher and more severe diagnosis rates.
The findings aim to assist clinicians in understanding ADHD trends and inform policymakers and health care systems in planning for children’s needs in the U.S. The study underscores the importance of recognizing cultural and socioeconomic factors in diagnosing and managing ADHD.
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