State-Level Estimates of the Prevalence of Parent-Reported ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Among U.S. Children and Adolescents, 2016 to 2019

Abstract

Objective: To provide state-level estimates of diagnosed ADHD and associated treatment among children in the United States in 2016 to 2019. Method: This study used the National Survey of Children’s Health to produce national and state-level estimates of lifetime diagnosis and current ADHD among all children aged 3 to 17 years ( n=114,476), and national and state-level estimates of medication and behavioral treatment use among children with current ADHD. Results: The state-level estimates of diagnosed ADHD ranged from 6.1% to 16.3%. Among children with current ADHD, state-level estimates of ADHD medication usage ranged from 37.8% to 81.4%, and state-level estimates of behavioral treatment ranged from 38.8% to 61.8%. Conclusion: There was substantial state-level variation for indicators of ADHD diagnosis and associated treatment. These state-level results can be used by policymakers, public health practitioners, health care providers, and other stakeholders to help address the service needs of children with ADHD in their states.