Neurology
Life Expectancies for Medicaid Beneficiaries with Autism Spectrum Disorder vs. Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, United States, 2000-2020 Guohua Li* Guohua Li Li Li Li Li Columbia University
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) have been linked to poorer socioeconomic and health outcomes, such as unemployment and premature mortality. Few studies, however, have assessed lifespan issues in ASD and ADHD. The objective of this study was to compare life expectancies for Medicaid beneficiaries with ASD vs. ADHD. Research-identifiable files from Medicaid [i.e., Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) data files and T-MSIS Analytic Files] and the enhanced MAX mortality data (i.e., mortality data through linkage of Medicaid beneficiaries to the National Death Index) from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed to determine age-specific death rates for beneficiaries with ASD and ADHD. The standard life table method was used to calculate life expectancies at birth. Among Medicaid beneficiaries, the prevalence rates of ASD and ADHD were 0.60% and 3.4%, respectively. During the 21-year study period, there were a total of 14,313,693 deaths among Medicaid beneficiaries, including 18,268 with ASD and 118,981 with ADHD. Life expectancies at birth were 64.9 years (64.6 for men and 65.0 for women) for those with ASD, 65.0 years (62.1 for men and 67.9 for women) for those with ADHD, and 70.5 years (66.5 for men and 73.2 for women) for all Medicaid beneficiaries. Life expectancy for Medicaid beneficiaries with ASD is virtually the same as for those with ADHD. Both ASD and ADHD are associated with a substantially reduced life expectancy. The deficit in life expectancy is most pronounced in autistic women.