New data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that approximately 6.4 million children ages 4 through 17 in the United States are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at some point in their lives.
According to the New York Times, which obtained the data from the CDC and compiled the results, this represents a 16% increase since 2007 and a 41% increase in the past decade. According to the data, 11% of school-age children have received an ADHD diagnosis, compared with previous estimates of 3% to 7%. The data also indicates that 14% of school-age children on Medicaid have been diagnosed with ADHD.
The cause for the rise in diagnoses is unclear. While some doctors and advocates argue that the rise is due to increased recognition and acceptance of the disorder, critics argue that some children are being misdiagnosed for what is simple inattention and normal childhood behavior.
The article also notes that sales of stimulants to treat ADHD have more than doubled from $4 billion in 2007 to $9 billion in 2012. According to CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden, “[t]he right medications for ADHD, given to the right people, can make a huge difference. Unfortunately, misuse appears to be growing at an alarming rate.”
