- Home
- Companies
- Centres for Disease Control and ...
- Services
- Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity ...
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder Research Services (ADHD)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a serious public health problem affecting a large number of children and adults. We know that ADHD causes problems in how well children do in school, in their ability to make and keep friends, and function in society. Although there are treatments to improve ADHD symptoms, less is known about managing ADHD as a child ages and reaches adulthood.
The criteria used to diagnose ADHD have changed over time. Researchers who study ADHD have used different definitions to diagnose ADHD leading to disagreement about the number, characteristics, and outcomes of children with the disorder. As of yet, we do not know the cause of ADHD, but research shows that genes play a role. There are many unanswered questions about ADHD, and there is more we need to learn about how ADHD affects people throughout their life.
CDC is conducting research to improve our understanding of ADHD. The information learned will help us understand the risk factors, causes, best treatments, and develop resources to help people living with ADHD.
CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) is funding large community-based, epidemiologic studies of ADHD in the United States to enhance our understanding of ADHD and co-occurring conditions in children and to increase our ability to make the most informed decisions and recommendations about potential public health prevention and intervention strategies.