Children's Needs for Mental Health Care Reported by National Survey; Significant Differences Between US Boys and Girls in Use of Services Identified
September 8, 2008
Children's Needs for Mental Health Care Reported by National Survey; Significant Differences Between US Boys and Girls in Use of Services Identified

Data from the CDC 2005-2006 National Health Information Survey (NHIS) highlights high levels of parental concerns about their children's mental health issues and documents differences between boys and girls ages 4-17 in the use of prescription medication and other mental health services. Parents of boys were more likely to have spoken with a health care provider or school staff about their child’s emotional, behavioral or attention difficulties over the past year (17.6% of boys compared with 11.2% of girls). Approximately 2.9 million children (5.1%) were prescribed medication, mainly for the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with boys being prescribed medication nearly twice as often as girls (6.6% compared with 3.4%). Five percent of children received treatment other than, or in addition to, medication for emotional, behavioral or attention difficulties (boys (6.4%) and girls (4.2%)). The survey report also notes differences in the use of various services based on age.

For more information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db08.htm.