Depression, anxiety rates rise among children, young adults: Study

A cohort study led by researchers at Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente found increases in clinically diagnosed anxiety and depression among children, adolescents and young adults between 2017 and 2021.

Advertisement

Here are three things to know:  

  1. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on Oct. 1, analyzed electronic medical records of approximately 1.7 million individuals ages 5-22 in Southern California. 
  2. The study found that the overall incidence of depression rose by nearly 60% in that period. Anxiety diagnosed without depression increased by 31%, with the most significant spikes occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  3. The findings also indicated that all demographic subgroups experienced increases, with rates highest among females, older adolescents and individuals from higher-income households. The study also identified disparities based on race and ethnicity, specifically among non-Hispanic White and American Indian or Alaska Native youths. 
Advertisement

Next Up in Behavioral Health News

Advertisement

Comments are closed.