Rising Trends in Mental Health Diagnoses Among Publicly Insured Children Before COVID-19

A recent and comprehensive study has shed light on the alarming increase in mental health and neurodevelopmental disorder diagnoses among children with public insurance in the United States prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers from Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta analyzed claims data from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, covering nearly 30 million children aged 3 to 17 across 22 states between 2010 and 2019. Their findings, published in JAMA, revealed that the percentage of children diagnosed with such disorders rose significantly from 10.7% in 2010 to 16.5% in 2019, representing an absolute increase of 6.7 percentage points. This increase was observed across all demographic groups, including various ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and geographic locations. The most notable growth was seen in diagnoses of ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and depression. Lead researcher Dr. Janet Cummings emphasized the severity of these findings, noting that the rate of diagnoses has escalated considerably even before the pandemic’s onset, which has been linked to further declines in children's mental health. The study highlights a pressing need for enhanced mental health resources and systemic support to meet the rising demand among vulnerable children. As mental health challenges continue to grow, investing in supportive infrastructure is crucial for fostering children’s development and ensuring their long-term well-being.