Anxiety Diagnoses By Pediatricians Up 300% in 10 Years, Study Shows
StudyFinds • • health
Key Points:
- A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a significant increase in mental health diagnoses during pediatric primary care visits in Massachusetts from 2014 to 2023, with anxiety diagnoses surging by 300%.
- The study analyzed insurance billing data for nearly 1.85 million insured children aged 1 to 18, showing that mental health diagnoses rose from 5.9 to 9.7 per 100 children per quarter, despite a slight decline in overall primary care visits.
- ADHD remained the most common mental health diagnosis, increasing from 5% to 6.7% of visits, while autism, depression, and trauma-related diagnoses also saw notable rises.
- Researchers suggest the increase may reflect both a rise in mental health conditions among children and improved screening by pediatricians, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced mental health training and integrated care models in primary care settings.
- The study emphasizes that pediatric primary care offices are becoming frontline responders to the mental health crisis in children, underscoring the necessity of equipping these providers with adequate resources to meet growing demands.