ADHD and Early Death: UK-Led Study Links ADHD to Higher Risk, and Medication Use to Lower Risk

What the study did

A new UK-led study has looked at ADHD and early death, and it was published in JAMA Network Open on 19 October 2026. Researchers from UCL, the University of Liverpool, King's College London and Bradford, with a co-author from ADHD UK, pooled the results of 19 earlier studies covering nearly 16 million people (15,920,970 participants). They compared death rates between people with and without ADHD.

What it found

Across those studies, ADHD was linked to higher death rates. In plain terms, UCL's press release says people with an ADHD diagnosis had a 70% higher rate of death from any cause, a 90% higher rate of death by suicide, a 55% higher rate of death from injuries, whether accidental or intentional, and a 27% higher rate of death from natural causes, compared with people without an ADHD diagnosis.

The medication link

Only three of the 19 studies looked at ADHD medication. In those, people with ADHD who took ADHD medication appeared to have about a 25% lower risk of death from any cause. First author Lucy Corrigan, from the University of Liverpool, said "medication is just part of the story; many people with ADHD benefit from comprehensive, long-term treatment and support."

Link, not proof

All the studies in the review were observational. That means they show a link between ADHD and higher death rates, and between medication and lower risk, but they can't prove that one causes the other. The medication finding is based on just three studies, so it's early evidence rather than a final answer, and the researchers themselves urge caution about it.

What researchers say

Senior author Prof Joshua Stott, from UCL, stressed that ADHD isn't life-limiting in itself: "ADHD is not by definition a life-limiting condition as the right support and treatment can help people with ADHD to live long and healthy lives." The researchers see the findings as a case for fair access to ADHD diagnosis, treatment and support.

Your own medication

If you take ADHD medication, or you're thinking about it, this study isn't a reason to start, stop or change anything on your own. Talk to your GP or prescriber about anything to do with your own treatment.

If you're struggling

If you're having thoughts of suicide or feel you can't keep yourself safe, you don't have to deal with it on your own. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time, day or night. For urgent mental health help, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, or use 111 online. If someone's life is at risk, call 999 or go to A&E.

Sources

• Mortality Among People With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - JAMA Network Open, 19 October 2026
• ADHD linked to higher mortality but medication may help - University College London press release via EurekAlert!, 19 October 2026
• ADHD medication linked with reduced all-cause mortality in people with ADHD - MIMS, 23 October 2026