A recent CDC report reveals that ADHD diagnoses among adults in the United States have surged, affecting 15.5 million people in 2023. This represents approximately 6% of the adult population. Many diagnoses occurred later in life, with challenges in accessing medication highlighted. Further details are available in the original CDC report.
Newstro Quick Facts
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report states that approximately 15.5 million adults in the US had an ADHD diagnosis in 2023, equating to 6% of the adult population. Around half of these diagnoses occurred in adulthood, indicating that many individuals are not diagnosed until later in life.
- The CDC gathered this data through surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System between October and November 2023. The report highlights disparities, with younger adults and non-Hispanic Whites more likely to receive diagnoses compared to other demographics.
- While medications like stimulants are commonly prescribed, over 71% of adults with ADHD reported difficulty in accessing these prescriptions. Telehealth has become a key avenue for receiving treatment, but the CDC notes potential limitations with self-reported diagnoses and the possibility of nonresponse bias in the survey data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new report detailing a significant increase in ADHD diagnoses among adults in the United States. The study, conducted in late 2023, reveals that approximately 15.5 million adults, or 6% of the adult population, were diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Strikingly, around half of these diagnoses were made in adulthood, a trend that suggests many individuals are not identified as having ADHD until later in life. These figures highlight an ongoing challenge in the healthcare system, particularly regarding the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders among adults.
Data for the report was gathered through the National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, focusing on individuals between October and November 2023. The survey found that adults diagnosed with ADHD were more likely to be 50 or younger, with a significant proportion identifying as non-Hispanic White. Socioeconomic factors also played a role, with those earning below the federal poverty level being more likely to receive a diagnosis. One-third of respondents reported taking stimulant medication for ADHD, though many cited difficulties in obtaining these prescriptions due to shortages or access barriers.
The report noted several limitations, including the reliance on self-reported diagnoses, which could be affected by recall and reporting biases. Additionally, the survey’s use of commercial online panels may have led to underrepresentation of certain populations, contributing to potential nonresponse bias. Despite these limitations, the findings underscore the growing impact of ADHD among the adult population in the US. Experts like Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist, have expressed concern about the over-reliance on medications like stimulants and suggested that behavioral interventions should be considered a first-line treatment to reduce symptoms and improve outcomes for individuals diagnosed with ADHD.
Definitions Table
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ADHD | Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a mental health condition characterized by problems with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. |
| CDC | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a US agency focused on public health and safety through disease prevention and control. |
| Stimulants | Medications often prescribed to treat ADHD, including drugs like Adderall and Ritalin that help increase attention and focus. |
| Federal poverty level | An economic measure used to assess individuals or families as living below a certain income threshold in the United States. |
| Telehealth | The distribution of health-related services via electronic information and telecommunication technologies, including virtual consultations. |
| Non-Hispanic White | A demographic group in the US, referring to individuals of European descent who do not identify as Hispanic or Latino. |
| National Center for Health Statistics | A division of the CDC responsible for gathering and analyzing health-related data to guide public health policy. |
| Behavioral intervention | A method of treating ADHD and other conditions by changing behavior through techniques like positive reinforcement and behavioral therapy. |
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