Global burden, inequality, and frontier gaps of autism spectrum disorder disability in adolescents and young adults, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis of the GBD 2021 study
Absolute ASD disability in AYA has risen mainly from population growth and case detection, not higher per capita risk. A sustained male predominance, a renewed peak at ages 30-39, and minimal progress on inequality show that economic gains alone have not reduced burden. Expanding adult screening, vocational support and community-based interventions, alongside stronger surveillance and parent training in low-SDI settings, is required to narrow global gaps.
Authors
- Xiaohua Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0310-4679)
- Derong Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9200-0213)
- Aiguo Xue (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2774-001X)
- Mei Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7105-6632)
- Suxia Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8639-7314)
- Hao Zhen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1462-1700)
- Zhenshan Shi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1544-9674)
- Jun Fang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6702-0289)
- Weiqing Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6831-598X)
Institutions
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (CN)
- Zhuhai People's Hospital (CN)
- ShenZhen People’s Hospital (CN)
- Shenzhen Chronic Disease Prevention Center (CN)
- Dongguan People’s Hospital (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Public Health
- Published
- 2025-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1681565
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.43
Funders
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation