Overview
- Age-adjusted prevalence rose from 5.3% in 2013 to 7.4% in 2023, continuing a statistically significant uptick that began in 2016.
- Prevalence nearly doubled for ages 18–39 to about 9.7% in 2023, while adults 70 and older reported a slight decline.
- Larger increases were seen among people with lower incomes and less education and across most racial and ethnic groups, with smaller rises among higher-income and college-educated respondents.
- Researchers analyzed 2013–2023 BRFSS data, excluded 2020 due to collection issues, and removed respondents who reported depression.
- Authors urge clinical and public-health attention to symptomatic young adults, noting that potential contributors such as reporting changes or long COVID remain unproven.