A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals an alarming increase in anxiety and depression among U.S. children and adolescents between 2016 and 2022. The investigation, analyzing data from the National Survey of Children's Health, highlighted that anxiety rose from 7.1% to 10.6%, while depression increased from 3.2% to 4.6%. These trends were observed across various clinical settings, solidifying pediatricians' concerns. Meanwhile, rates of physical health conditions like asthma and severe headaches declined, indicating a specific deterioration in youth mental health amidst a broader public health context influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This study affirms changes pediatricians have been noticing over the last decade across clinical settings, from primary care practices to emergency departments to hospitals.
The motivation for this study was to take a big-picture scan of youth mental and physical health in the U.S. from before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental health providers are in shortage across the U.S. We need to develop new ways to give day to day support to families of children who are experiencing anxiety and depression.
These findings suggest that the deterioration of youth health was specific to mental health, particularly anxiety and depression, but not select physical health conditions.
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