ADHD linked to 71% higher death risk, study finds (StudyFinds, 20 October 2026)

A new study co-authored by ADHD UK’s Henry Shelford has found that people with ADHD have a 71% higher risk of death from any cause than people without ADHD. The research was led by Lucy Corrigan at the University of Liverpool and published in JAMA Network Open. It is the first review to focus on mortality in ADHD alone, and pooled data from 19 studies covering more than 15.9 million people across seven countries, including the UK.

The researchers found that people with ADHD were nearly twice as likely to die by suicide, around 55% more likely to die from injury, and about 27% more likely to die from natural causes such as disease. People with ADHD who took medication had around a 25% lower risk of death, although this finding is based on only three studies, and the authors note it cannot show that the medication itself lowers the risk. Possible explanations include higher rates of co-occurring mental health conditions, impulsivity leading to accidents, heart disease and other chronic conditions, and financial hardship.

The authors describe ADHD as a “long-term public health concern” and call for further research into how factors such as sex, ethnicity and childhood experiences affect risk. They also note limitations, including wide variation between studies and a sample dominated by men.

You can read the full article here: https://studyfinds.com/adhd-higher-death-risk/