ADHD Prevalence Among U.S. Children and Adolescents in 2022: Diagnosis, Severity, Co-Occurring Disorders, and Treatment.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
cross-sectional national survey
PubMed 38778436 · doi:10.1080/15374416.2024.2335625
What was done
Researchers analyzed data from the 2022 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) among U.S. children aged 3–17 years (n = 45,169). They calculated weighted prevalence estimates for ever diagnosed ADHD, current ADHD, ADHD severity, co-occurring disorders, and past-year receipt of ADHD medication and behavioral treatment across demographic and clinical subgroups.
What was found
An estimated 11.4% (7.1 million) of U.S. children had ever received an ADHD diagnosis, and 10.5% (6.5 million) had current ADHD (an increase of approximately 1 million ever-diagnosed children since 2016). Among children with current ADHD, 58.1% had moderate or severe ADHD and 77.9% had at least one co-occurring disorder. Regarding treatment, 53.6% received ADHD medication, 44.4% received behavioral treatment in the past year, and 30.1% received no ADHD-specific treatment.
Why it matters
These updated national estimates establish that pediatric ADHD diagnoses continue to expand in the U.S. following the COVID-19 pandemic, while highlighting that nearly one in three affected children receives neither medication nor behavioral interventions.
Limits
The study relies on parent-reported survey data rather than independent clinical diagnoses or medical chart verification, introducing potential recall and reporting bias. Its cross-sectional design cannot establish causality or determine reasons for the lack of treatment.
Cited by
- supports Approximately 6.5 million American children have an ADHD diagnosis, with about two-thirds receiving medication.