What We’re Reading: Adderall Use Spikes; Gun Injuries Surge; Pediatric Hepatitis, Respiratory Infection Linked

ADHD Drug Use Spikes in Adults

A new CDC report shows that the number of adults taking a prescription for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including Adderall, increased significantly during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Washington Post. This spike may be attributed to the overwhelming mental health impact of the pandemic, which may have exacerbated ADHD symptoms, said the study’s authors. Furthermore, these findings suggest a need for developing better guidelines to treat adults with ADHD.

Gun Injuries Surged During COVID-19 Pandemic

The number of people injured by gunfire was nearly 40% higher in 2020 and 2021 compared with 2019, according to The Associated Press. The CDC study highlights America’s recent history of violence, and although this surge tapered off in 2022, the CDC says the number of injuries was still 20% higher than before the pandemic. Gun injuries saw their largest increase among younger children 15 years and younger.

Unknown Hepatitis Outbreak in Children Linked to Respiratory Infection

Three independent studies linked an outbreak of acute severe hepatitis in healthy children in 2022 to adeno-associated virus 2, or AAV2, according to CNN. Between April and July of 2022, hepatitis was diagnosed in more than 1000 children—with at least 350 cases in the United States alone—reported the World Health Organization. Although consistent links were found among these studies, more research is needed to confirm this association.