Introduction
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with various effects that are detrimental to social and economic growth among African Americans. The disorder is associated with attention difficulty, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. ADHD victims and their family members face problems including financial difficulties and other related psychological disorders. Although the U.S. medical statistics show low rates of ADHD, the condition is more prevalent among the Black community than other population segments. Lack of access to quality healthcare, misdiagnosis, and culturally competent healthcare shortage are some of the causes of increased ADHD cases among the Black community. The high rate of ADHD among the Black community in the U.S. has encumbered their social and economic growth.
ADHD in the U.S.
ADHD is one of the psychological disorders that affect how individuals behave and think. While the exact cause of ADHD is unknown, it results from a combination of several factors. The disorder tends to run in families and is thought to be inherited from one generation to another. Research shows that parents with ADHD are likely to have children with the disorder (Lugo‐Candelas et al.). Additionally, ADHD can be caused due to exposure to environmental risks during pregnancy and at a young age. Use of drugs, especially tobacco and alcohol, during pregnancy can lead to the condition. Furthermore, the disorder is associated with premature delivery and low birth weight. While the exact causes of ADHD are unknown, its effects are detrimental to society.
Prevalence of ADHD In the U.S.
The U.S. is one of the developed countries with advanced healthcare systems. The country has formulated policies and integrated technology in the delivery of medical services. However, ADHD remains a common problem among the Black community in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about six million children of ages three to seventeen years and ten million adults are diagnosed with ADHD. The condition is more prevalent among children of ages twelve to seventeen, 13% (CDC). Moreover, boys are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than girls. Furthermore, the disorder is most common among the Black community, 12%, compared to other races (CDC). Therefore, the Black community is socially and economically affected by the high ADHD rate.
Increased cases of ADHD among the Black community can be associated with various causes. The Black community in the U.S. has continually faced racial segregation limiting their access to quality healthcare. Lack of access to proper evaluation and treatment is one of the major causes of high ADHD prevalence among the Black community (Foster et al.). Moreover, the absence of a culturally competent healthcare system in the U.S. increases the cases of ADHD in the Black community. Although the U.S. is regarded as a civilized country, many African Americans face systemic racism in public institutions. Furthermore, misdiagnosis can be regarded as another cause of the increased number of ADHD cases. High rates of ADHD among the Black community in the U.S., are associated with social and economic problems.
Effects of ADHD on the Black Community
School Failure
Success in school depends on a student’s ability to stay focused and pay attention during classes. ADHD is associated with symptoms such as the inability to sit still in calm and quiet surroundings and to concentrate (Cénat et al.). Student ADHD patients have difficulty attending classes and performing well in exams. Meanwhile, the conditions affect the parent’s ability to take care of their children and help them with school work. Consequently, there is increased poor academic performance among the Black community who suffer from ADHD. Poor academic performance is associated with limited employment opportunities and an increased rate of dependency. Lack of concentration and focus among ADHD patients has led to poorer academic performance by Black students than others.
Increased Medical Costs
The U.S. government has formulated various legislations that promote the well-being of Americans. However, the majority of the medical programs fail to address ADHD cases in the country. Therefore, ADHD patients depend on their family members for treatment and caregiving activities. The majority of African Americans who suffer from ADHD come from dysfunctional families. The average cost of treating ADHD through therapy is estimated to at about $100 to $250 per session (Cénat et al.). Moreover, the children suffering from the condition attract an additional expense of about $12000 (Cénat et al.). Unlike the Whites, the Blacks have poorly paying jobs, making it difficult for them to afford medical costs. The high costs of treating ADHD can lead to stress and other associated problems in Black families.
Psychological Disorders
School failure and increased medical expenses among the Black communities in the U.S. are associated with psychological disorders. ADHD’s impact on African Americans’ academic performance and financial stability can be detrimental to their mental well-being. Anxiety and depression are some of the mental disorders associated with the condition. Parents whose children perform poorly at school due to ADHD are depressed (Cénat et al.). Meanwhile, poor performance by the patients may lead to discrimination, affecting their mental wellness. Financial pressure to meet medical costs and caregiving services is above what an average Black family can afford (Foster et al.). Increased psychological disorders among the Black community due to ADHD encumber socialization.
Substance Use
While substance in the U.S. is low, there is an increasing trend of alcoholism among the Black American community. Statistics show that of the Black Americans aged 12 and older, 13.7% are addicted to illicit drugs (Lee and Singh 86). The percentage is high compared to the national average of 11.7% (Lee and Singh 86). ADHD is one of the conditions that increase drug abuse behavior. Moreover, the condition is associated with financial difficulty that leads to indulgence in drug abuse. The increased drug addiction rates among Black Americans are detrimental to social growth and empowerment. The majority of drug addicts commit crimes, increasing insecurity in Black community neighborhoods. ADHD affects the Black community and requires effective intervention by the government and interested stakeholders.
Conclusion
ADHD is detrimental to the social and economic growth of the Black American community. The disorder is believed to be caused by a combination of various factors including premature birth and the use of illicit drugs during pregnancy. ADHD is associated with symptoms such as a lack of focus and concentration. Although the number of ADHD cases in the U.S. is low, the Black community is the most affected. Consequently, the community has increased school failure, other mental illnesses, and a high rate of substance use. Moreover, the community finds it difficult to afford medical costs. ADHD encumbers the social and economic development of the Black American community. Therefore, the U.S. government must intervene to reduce ADHD in the Black community, fostering economic empowerment.
Works Cite
CDC. “Data and Statistics about ADHD | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Web.
Cénat, Jude Mary, et al. “Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among US Black Individuals.” JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 78, no. 1, Web.
Foster, Carolyn C., et al. “Improving Support for Care at Home: Parental Needs and Preferences When Caring for Children with Medical Complexity.” Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 2021, Web.
Lee, Hyunjung, and Gopal K. Singh. “Estimating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rising Trends in Drug Overdose Mortality in the United States, 2018-2021.” Annals of Epidemiology, vol. 77, 2023, pp. 85–89, Web.
Lugo‐Candelas, Claudia, et al. “ADHD and Risk for Subsequent Adverse Childhood Experiences: Understanding the Cycle of Adversity.” Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, vol. 62, no. 8, Web.