Racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities among U.S. children aged 3\u201317 years

Data from the National Health Interview Survey, 2016\u20132018\u2022 In 2016\u20132018, nearly 14% of children aged 3\u201317 years were reported as ever having been diagnosed with either attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or a learning disability; non-Hispanic black children were the most likely to be diagnosed (16.9%).\u2022 Among children aged 3\u201310 years, non-Hispanic black children were more likely to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD or a learning disability compared with non-Hispanic white or Hispanic children.\u2022 Diagnosis of ADHD or a learning disability differed by federal poverty level for children in all racial and ethnic groups.\u2022 Diagnosis of ADHD or a learning disability differed by parental education among non-Hispanic white children only.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities are the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders in children and often coexist (1,2). Previous research has suggested that the prevalence of these conditions may differ by race and Hispanic origin (3,4). Using timely, nationally representative data, this report examines the reported prevalence of ADHD and learning disabilities by race and ethnicity and select demographic characteristics that are associated with the diagnosis of these conditions (1).Suggested citation: Zablotsky B, Alford JM. Racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities among U.S. children aged 3\u201317 years. NCHS Data Brief, no 358. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2020.CS314791db358-h.pdf2020729