TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - Seasonal trends in emergency department visits for mental and behavioral health conditions among children and adolescents aged 5-17 years - United States, January 2018-June 2023
JO  - MMWR: Morbidity and mortality weekly report
A1  - Radhakrishnan, Lakshmi
A1  - Carey, Kelly
A1  - Pell, Dylan
A1  - Ising, Amy
A1  - Brathwaite, Danielle
A1  - Waller, Anna
A1  - Gay, James
A1  - Watson-Smith, Hollie
A1  - Person, Mark
A1  - Zamore, Kenan
A1  - Brumsted, Tia
A1  - Price, Claudia
A1  - Clark, Patti M.
A1  - Haas, Gabriel Ann
A1  - Gracy, Lauren
A1  - Johnston, Scott
A1  - Chen, Yushiuan
A1  - Muñoz, Kyla
A1  - Henry, Meredith
A1  - Willis, Brittany
A1  - Nevels, Darryl
A1  - Asaolu, Ibitola
A1  - Lee, Sarah
A1  - Wilkins, Natalie J.
A1  - Bacon, Sarah
A1  - Sheppard, Michael
A1  - Kite-Powell, Aaron
A1  - Blau, Gary
A1  - King, Michael
A1  - Whittaker, Meghan
A1  - Leeb, Rebecca T.
SP  - 1032
EP  - 1040
VL  - 72
IS  - 38
N2  - Mental and behavioral health conditions among school-aged children, including substance use disorders and overall emotional well-being, are a public health concern in the United States. Timely data on seasonal patterns in child and adolescent conditions can guide optimal timing of prevention and intervention strategies. CDC examined emergency department (ED) visit data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program for 25 distinct conditions during January 2018-June 2023 among U.S. children and adolescents aged 5-17 years, stratified by age group. Each year, during 2018-2023, among persons aged 10-14 and 15-17 years, the number and proportion of weekly ED visits for eight conditions increased in the fall school semester and remained elevated throughout the spring semester; ED visits were up to twice as high during school semesters compared with the summer period. Among children aged 5-9 years, the number and proportion of visits increased for five mental and behavioral health conditions. Seasonal increases in ED visits for some conditions among school-aged children warrant enhanced awareness about mental distress symptoms and the challenges and stressors in the school environment. Systemic changes that prioritize protective factors (e.g., physical activity; nutrition; sleep; social, community, or faith-based support; and inclusive school and community environments) and incorporate preparedness for increases in conditions during back-to-school planning might improve child and adolescent mental health.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0149-2195
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7238a3
ID  - ref1
ER  -