New Reports on ADHD and Opioid Use Disorder in Health Center Visits

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released two new reports on health center visits for adults in the United States with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). These reports are based on data from the 2023 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Health Center Component.

Health centers are local, community-based clinics that provide care to those who often encounter issues accessing health care.

ADHD and Health Center Visits

ADHD is a common condition that often starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood. Key points from the report regarding health center visits for adults with ADHD in 2023 include—

• Adults with ADHD visited health centers at a rate of 52.6 visits per 10,000 adults. Young adults aged 18–24 had the highest visit rate at 92.6, while adults aged 65 and older had the lowest rate at 6.5.
• Many adults with ADHD visiting health centers have other mental health issues.
  • 51.2% had anxiety disorders
  • 48.8% had mood disorders
  • 23.8% had substance use disorders
• They also have other health conditions.
  • 24.2% were diagnosed with obesity or being overweight
  • 40.1% had other chronic health issues
• More than half of health center visits among adults with ADHD included a prescription for an ADHD medication. The most commonly prescribed medication was amphetamines, noted in 41.7% of these visits.

Opioid Use Disorder and Health Center Visits

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a serious condition affecting many adults. Important statistics from the report about health center visits for adults with OUD in 2023 include—

• The rate of visits to health centers for adults with OUD was 4.8 visits per 1,000 adults. The highest visit rates were among adults aged 25–49, with 7.7 visits.
• Among adults with OUD visiting health centers—
  • 44.8% had at least one other substance use disorder, with nicotine use disorder being the most common at almost 30% of visits.
  • 52.9% had a co-existing mental health disorder, including—
    • 36.3% with mood disorders
    • 33.8% with anxiety disorders
• At 53% of health center visits among adults with OUD, at least one prescription for an OUD medication was documented. Buprenorphine was prescribed at nearly half of these visits.