We appreciate you taking the time to help America’s Health Rankings better understand our audiences. Your feedback will allow us to optimize our website and provide you with additional resources in the future. Thank you.
Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
United States Value:
Among all children ages 3-17, the percentage who currently have ADD or ADHD, are taking medication, and have received behavioral treatment in the last 12 months (2-year estimate)
Among all children ages 3-17 whose parent or caregiver graduated from a college or technical school, the percentage who currently have ADD or ADHD, are taking medication, and have received behavioral treatment in the last 12 months (2-year estimate)
5.9% - 4.4%
4.3% - 3.8%
3.7% - 3.4%
3.3% - 3.2%
3.1% - 1.5%
US Value: 3.4 %
Top State(s): Mississippi: 6.3 %
Bottom State(s): Hawaii: 1.4 %
Definition: Among all children ages 3-17, the percentage who currently have ADD or ADHD, are taking medication, and have received behavioral treatment in the last 12 months (2-year estimate)
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, National Survey of Children's Health, 2023-2024
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, National Survey of Children's Health, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders in childhood. It is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity or both. There are three types of ADHD, characterized by the most prominent symptoms: primarily hyperactive-impulsive type, primarily inattentive type (previously referred to as attention deficit disorder, or ADD) and combined type. The prevalence of ADHD has been steadily increasing over the last two decades, which may be attributable in part to increased diagnoses rather than increased incidence. Common symptoms of ADHD include:
It is important to diagnose and treat ADHD early. ADHD cannot be cured, but it can be managed and symptoms may improve as children age. The impulsivity and inattention associated with ADHD increase the risk of injury and make it difficult to engage in healthy sleep, diet or physical activity habits. Further, it is common for ADHD to occur alongside behavioral issues and other conditions, such as anxiety, depression and other learning disorders. If left untreated, ADHD can lead to significant problems in education, employment and personal relationships.
Barriers to ADHD treatment include lack of recognition and support from health care providers for proper screening and diagnosis, as well as misconceptions and stigma surrounding ADHD.
According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of ADD/ADHD treatment is higher among:
Treatment for ADHD includes behavioral therapy and medications, which can be either stimulants or non-stimulants.
Strategies to increase access to and improve the quality of ADHD treatment among children include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a clinical resource for providers on diagnosing and treating ADHD.
The organization Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) maintains a National Resource Center on ADHD for parents, educators and health care providers. Moreover, the program offers toolkits that guide parents and caregivers through their options for ADHD management among children.
Healthy People 2030 has a goal to increase the proportion of children and adolescents with ADHD who get appropriate treatment.
Foy, Jane Meschan, Cori M. Green, Marian F. Earls, Arthur Lavin, George LaMonte Askew, Rebecca Baum, Evelyn Berger-Jenkins, et al. “Mental Health Competencies for Pediatric Practice.” Pediatrics 144, no. 5 (November 1, 2019): e20192757. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-2757.
McKenna, Kaitlyn, Sithara Wanni Arachchige Dona, Lisa Gold, Angela Dew, and Ha N. D. Le. “Barriers and Enablers of Service Access and Utilization for Children and Adolescents With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Attention Disorders 28, no. 3 (February 2024): 259–78.https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231214002.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.
