ADD/ADHD What are the Statistics?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a report based on data collected in 2003 concerning the incidence of and treatment for ADHD state by state in America (CDC, 2005, www.cdc.gov/mmwr). The incidence rates varied from a low of approximately 5% to a high of 8% in children ages 4 to 17 years old. Approximately half had or were receiving medication treatment for the condition.
Medco Health Solutions, focused almost exclusively on the growth of the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults. See: Medco Health Solutions (2005). ADHD medication use growing faster among adults than children. New Research. www.medco.com
Oregon Health and Sciences University Drug Class Review Program on pharmacologic treatments examined the comparative effectiveness and tolerability of medications used to treat ADHD (McDonagh and Peterson, 2005). See: McDonagh, M.S., & Peterson, K. (2005). Drug Class Review on Ph-armacologic Treatments of ADHD: Final Report. Portland, OR: Oregon Evidence-Based Practice Center, Oregon Health and Science University.