Mental Health, Neurodevelopmental Diagnoses in Publicly Insured Children on the Rise

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 30, 2025.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 -- The percentage of publicly insured children receiving any mental health or neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis significantly increased between 2010 and 2019, according to a study published online April 24 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Janet R. Cummings, Ph.D., from the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, and colleagues estimated changes in the percentage of publicly insured children with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental disorder diagnoses. The analysis included administrative claims data (2010 to 2019) from 22 states for 29.9 million publicly insured children aged 3 to 17 years.

The researchers found that the percentage of publicly insured children with any diagnosed mental health or neurodevelopmental disorder increased from 10.7 percent in 2010 to 16.5 percent in 2019, with this trend remaining significant after adjusting for covariates (adjusted risk difference [aRD], 6.7 percentage points). For nine of the 13 diagnostic categories examined, statistically significant increases were seen, with the largest absolute increases seen for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (aRD, 2.3 percentage points), trauma- and stressor-related disorders (aRD, 1.7 percentage points), anxiety disorders (aRD, 1.6 percentage points), autism spectrum disorders (aRD, 1.1 percentage points), depressive disorders (aRD, 0.9 percentage points), and other neurodevelopmental disorders (aRD, 2.6 percentage points).

"These findings highlight the need for access to appropriate services in safety net systems and other settings that serve this population," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-05-01 06:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords