ADHD Prevalence Was Steady in U.S. Youth From 2017 to 2022

FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in U.S. youth remained steady from 2017 to 2022, according to a research letter published online Oct. 4 in JAMA Network Open.

Yanmei Li, from Guangdong Pharmaceutical University in Guangzhou, China, and colleagues estimated the prevalence and trends of ADHD among children and adolescents (aged 4 to 17 years) in the United States from 2017 to 2022 using data from the National Health Interview Survey (37,609 individuals).

The researchers found that 10.9 percent reported to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, with no significant annual change noted in prevalence (10.0 percent in 2017 and 10.8 percent in 2022). Prevalence did significantly vary by sociodemographic factors. In 2021 to 2022, ADHD prevalence was significantly higher in girls versus boys, those aged 12 to 17 years versus 4 to 11 years, White individuals versus Hispanic or Black individuals, and those living in poverty versus higher income.

"Given that the estimated ADHD prevalence was still high, further investigation is warranted to assess potentially modifiable risk factors and provide adequate resources for treatment of individuals with ADHD in the future," the authors write.

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