Psychiatry

Research has shown that African American, Asian American, and Hispanic American children are less likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD than Caucasian American children. Parents and teachers report several factors for the underdiagnosis and non-treatment of these children with ADHD symptoms. Factors include economic barriers, social issues, and cultural differences in these...

A cohort of 238,011 American children was screened for ADHD diagnosis, and the link between ADHD diagnosis and race/ethnicity was explored. The study found that Asian, Hispanic, and Black children were significantly less likely to be diagnosed and treated for ADHD, while white children were more likely to receive treatment. This study retrospectively examined insurance...

There is an underutilization of ADHD services in the Latino community. A mixed-method study was conducted to explore the factors contributing to the disproportionate rates of underdiagnosis and treatment of ADHD in Latinos. This study consisted of 159 school-aged children. Information from parents and teachers was gathered. It was found that cultural differences in the...

In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Johnny Williamson, we discuss how to increase recruitment and enrollment of diverse groups in ADHD clinical trials. We also discuss how to improve mental health stigma. MD Newsline: How do you think we can increase recruitment and enrollment of diverse groups in ADHD clinical...

In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Johnny Williamson, we discuss ADHD management challenges and disparities in the wake of the pandemic. MD Newsline: What are the biggest challenges that psychiatrists and other physicians treating ADHD are tasked with in the wake of the pandemic? Dr. Johnny Williamson: “You know the...

In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Johnny Williamson, we discuss how to provide culturally sensitive care and overcome language barriers. MD Newsline: How have you been able to implement culturally sensitive care in your practice? Dr. Johnny Williamson: “I work in an environment that’s diverse. Right? We have no...

In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Johnny Williamson, we discuss ADHD underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and implicit bias. We also discuss how psychiatrists can reach out to the Black community to rectify ADHD disparities. MD Newsline: Is ADHD commonly underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed? What is it mistaken for? Dr. Johnny Williamson: “ADHD...

In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Johnny Williamson, we discuss ADHD as it relates to race/ethnicity and gender. MD Newsline: Why do Black children suffer more from ADHD than children of other racial/ethnic backgrounds? Dr. Johnny Williamson “One, I think that’s a great question. I think that the diagnosis...

A meta-analysis of 21 United States studies from 1979-2020 indicates a greater prevalence of ADHD among Black children than children of other races. This report sought to determine how race and other factors such as socioeconomic status relate to ADHD diagnosis, with the ultimate aim of providing guidance for culturally sensitive diagnosis and treatment. The...