ADHD Prevalence in Children: A Public Health Overview

Introduction

Mental health is one of the most important aspects of the overall health and wellbeing of children, adolescents, and adults. For children and adolescents in particular, mental health is crucial to cognitive and psychological development. However, a significant portion of children and adolescents suffer from mental health disorders that affect their overall health, wellbeing, and development. According to O'Keeffe, it is estimated that 10% of children between 5 and 15 years suffer from a mental health disorder, while nearly 50% of all lifetime psychiatric disorders begin by mid-adolescence (p. 1). Since most of these mental health disorders can persist into adulthood and cause long-term morbidity, early diagnosis and treatment are considered vital to enhancing the overall health of children and adolescents. This paper examines the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), its significance to public health, and a data source that can be utilized to monitor it.

Prevalence of ADHD Among Children and Adolescents

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is regarded as one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders among children and generates severe negative effects on children, adolescents, and even adults. Given its serious consequences, this mental health condition can create significant economic burdens on affected families and on society. ADHD is characterized by over-activity, inattentiveness, impulsivity, or a combination of these symptoms (O'Keeffe, p. 2). The impairing symptoms of this condition can persist into adolescence and adulthood in 60% of cases. In the remaining cases, overt hyperactivity is replaced by inner restlessness, impatience, and emotional dysregulation in adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD affect a child or adolescent's academic, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social functioning. ADHD affects between 3% and 5% of the school-age population, making it a serious mental health concern among children (O'Keeffe, p. 2). However, the reported prevalence of this neurobehavioral disorder among children varies — from 2% to 18% — depending on the diagnostic criteria used and the population examined. As of 2017, the prevalence of ADHD among school-age children is estimated to range from 8% to 11%, confirming its status as one of the most common mental health disorders in this age group (Krull, Augustyn & Torchia par. 4). Based on a meta-analysis of 175 studies drawn from a wide geographic distribution, including Europe and Asia, the pooled prevalence of the condition was 7.2%.

The 2011 National Survey of Children's Health found that the prevalence of a parent-reported diagnosis of ADHD among U.S. children aged 4 to 17 years was 11%. This represented a 42% increase compared to the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health. The survey also indicated that nearly one-third of children were diagnosed with the condition before age six. Boys account for a disproportionate share of ADHD cases at 15.1%, while girls account for 6.7%. Additionally, the prevalence of the condition increases with age: 7.7% among 4- to 10-year-olds, 14.3% among 11- to 14-year-olds, and 14.0% among 15- to 17-year-olds (Krull, Augustyn & Torchia par. 5).

Public Health Significance of ADHD

ADHD among children is a major public health issue given its devastating impact on the overall health and wellbeing of this population. As noted above, the condition interferes with affected children's academic, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and social functioning. Beyond its effects on individual children, ADHD remains a major public health concern because it negatively impacts affected families and society at large. Since its negative effects can persist into adulthood, ADHD among children generates financial burdens on families and society, adding to the demands placed on the public health sector.

ADHD among children is considered a public health issue because it generates both individual and system-level cost burdens (Hinshaw, Peele & Danielson par. 1). The costs associated with this disorder are both direct and indirect, arising in different ways given its numerous short- and long-term manifestations. Additionally, the condition is a public health concern because it has broader implications at the population level, necessitating the identification of suitable treatment approaches. The most pressing public health concern relating to ADHD among children is therefore the treatment of the disorder and the costs associated with it.

Conclusion

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders among children and is associated with devastating impacts on children, families, and society. The prevalence, effects, and treatment approaches and costs of this mental health condition have all contributed to its recognition as a major public health concern. The National Survey of Children's Health represents a suitable data source for monitoring this condition among children, providing important information regarding children's overall health and well-being, though targeted improvements to the survey's design and scope would further strengthen its utility for ADHD-specific monitoring.

Works Cited

Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health. "Frequently Asked Questions about the NSCH." Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health — A Project of the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. The Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2017.

Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health. "The National Survey of Children's Health." Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health. The Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2017.

Hinshaw, Stephen, Pamela Peele, and Louis Danielson. "Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Sept. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2017.

Krull, Kevin R., Marilyn Augustyn, and Mary M. Torchia. "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Epidemiology and Pathogenesis." UpToDate. UpToDate, Inc., 12 Sept. 2017. Web. 23 Sept. 2017.

O'Keeffe, Nikki, Blanaid Gavin, Walter Cullen, and Fiona McNicholas. "Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Diagnosis & Management." Quality in Practice Committee. ICGP, June 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2017.