Updated prevalence estimates of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among U.S. children and adolescents have been provided by a recent study using data from the 2022 National Survey of Children's Health.
Researchers found that 1 in 9 (or 7.1 million) of children aged 3-17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point in their lives, with 92.6% (6.5 million) currently having the disorder. The prevalence of ever-diagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) increased with age: 2.4% of children aged 3-5 years, 11.5% of children aged 6-11 years, and 15.5% of adolescents aged 12-17 years.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, noted that 58.1% of children experience moderate to severe forms of the disorder, and 77.9% have at least one co-occurring disorder. Despite these high rates, nearly one-third (30.1%) of children with ADHD did not receive any ADHD-specific treatment in the past year. Among children with current ADHD, approximately half (53.6%) were taking medication, while 44.4% had received behavioral treatment in the past year. The study found that 28.2% of children with ADHD received both medication and behavioral treatment, 25.5% received medication only, and 16.2% received behavioral treatment only.
The prevalence of ADHD was noted to be higher among boys, children from lower-income households, and those with public health insurance. The sex ratio for ADHD diagnosis was 1.8 boys to 1 girl, which is lower than the ratio of more than 2:1 reported in previous years, suggesting a potential narrowing of the sex difference in ADHD diagnosis. Regional disparities were also observed, with higher prevalence in rural areas and the Midwest, Northeast, and South compared to those living in the West.
Researchers also reported disparities in treatment, with younger children (aged 3-5 years) and those from non-English-speaking households being less likely to receive medication. Behavioral treatment was also reported to be less common among adolescents and those living in rural areas.
The researchers stated that their estimates can be used by "policymakers, government agencies, health care systems, public health practitioners, and other partners to plan for the needs of children with ADHD, such as by ensuring access to care and services for ADHD," in addition to informing clinical practice for diagnosis and treatment.
No conflict of interest was reported by the authors.