Screening All Children Aged Eight and Older for Anxiety

For the first time, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a group of disease prevention and medical experts assembled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has recommended that primary care physicians screen for anxiety in children and adolescents aged 8-18 years, even if there are no symptoms. 

Anxiety in children and adolescents is associated with impaired functioning, educational underachievement, and future mental health conditions. The 2018-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health found that 7.8% of children and adolescents aged 3-17 years had a current anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence are associated with an increased likelihood of a future anxiety disorder or depression.

The USPSTF commissioned a systematic review of 39 studies to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.

It recommended using screening questionnaires to identify children at risk, and noted that studies show that children with anxiety benefit from treatment that may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychotherapy.

The USPSTF also concluded that there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for anxiety in children 7 years old or younger.