Prevalence of Parent-Reported ADHD Diagnosis and Associated Treatment Among U.S. Children and Adolescents, 2016.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey of parent-reported data (NSCH)
PubMed 29363986 · doi:10.1080/15374416.2017.1417860
What was done
Analyzed data from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), a redesigned, nationally representative, cross-sectional parent survey (n = 45,736). Parents reported on children aged 2–17 years regarding lifetime healthcare provider diagnosis of ADHD, current ADHD status, and receipt of ADHD medication or behavioral treatment in the past year. Weighted national prevalence estimates were calculated overall and across demographic and clinical subgroups.
What was found
An estimated 9.4% (6.1 million) of U.S. children aged 2–17 had ever received an ADHD diagnosis. Current ADHD was reported in 8.4% (5.4 million) of all children, representing 89.4% of those ever diagnosed. Among children with current ADHD, 62.0% were taking ADHD medication, 46.7% had received behavioral treatment in the past year, and 23.0% had received neither treatment.
Why it matters
This study provides updated national benchmark estimates of ADHD prevalence and treatment patterns following the 2016 NSCH redesign, indicating that roughly one in twelve U.S. children has active ADHD.
Limits
Data rely entirely on parent recall and report rather than direct clinical evaluation, medical record review, or validated diagnostic interviews. The survey lacks detail on specific treatment types, duration, or quality. The cross-sectional design cannot evaluate treatment effectiveness or longitudinal outcomes.
Cited by
- context Approximately 6.5 million American children have an ADHD diagnosis, with about two-thirds receiving medication.