Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults — National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, United States, October–November 2023

Summary & key facts

A national survey done by the National Center for Health Statistics in October and November 2023 found that about 15.5 million U.S. adults, or roughly 6 percent, said they currently have an ADHD diagnosis. About half of those adults were first diagnosed when they were 18 or older. Around one third took a stimulant medicine in the past year, and most of those people said they had trouble getting their prescription filled because it was unavailable. About half of adults with ADHD have used telehealth for ADHD care, and the report says telehealth might help people get treatment or prescriptions. These numbers come from people answering a survey, not from medical records, so they are estimates t

Key facts:

• About 15.5 million U.S. adults, or about 6 percent, reported currently having an ADHD diagnosis.
• About half of adults with ADHD said they received their diagnosis at age 18 or older.
• About one third of adults with ADHD took a stimulant medication for ADHD in the past year.
• About 72 percent of adults who took stimulants said they had difficulty getting their ADHD prescription filled because it was unavailable.
• About half of adults with ADHD have ever used telehealth for ADHD-related services.
• The data come from a national rapid survey done in October and November 2023 and are based on people’s own reports, so they are estimates rather than clinical records.
• The report notes that telehealth could help people access behavioral treatments or medication, but it presents this as a possible benefit, not a proven outcome.

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that develops during childhood and can last into adulthood. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System collected during October-November 2023 were used to estimate the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis and treatment among U.S. adults. In 2023, an estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults (6.0%) had a current ADHD diagnosis based on self-report; approximately one half received the diagnosis at age ≥18 years. Approximately one third of adults with ADHD took a stimulant medication to treat their ADHD in the previous year, 71.5% of whom had difficulty getting their ADHD prescription filled because it was unavailable. Approximately one half of adults with ADHD have ever used telehealth for ADHD-related services. Telehealth might have benefits for persons with ADHD, including helping them access behavioral treatment or medication prescriptions for ADHD. This report provides national estimates of the prevalence and treatment of ADHD among U.S. adults to help guide clinical care and regulatory decision-making for ADHD among U.S. adults.

Topics

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Psychiatry and Mental health

Tags

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Center (category theory) Chemistry Crystallography Environmental health Gerontology Health care Health statistics Law Medicine Political science Population Psychiatry Psychology Telehealth Telemedicine

Conditions & symptoms

ADHD Difficulty focusing