Trends in Anxiety Among Young Adults Aged 18 to 25 Years in the United States, 2020-2024: Differences by Race, Sex, and Sexual Orientation.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To examine the prevalence and trends of anxiety outcomes among US young adults aged 18 to 25 years from 2020 to 2024 and how they varied by demographic factors and their intersections. <b>Methods.</b> Using nationally representative cross-sectional surveillance data from the National Health Interview Survey (2020-2024; n = 10 953), we estimated weighted proportions of anxiety outcomes (e.g., diagnosis, medication use, level, and frequency) for each year and conducted weighted logistic regression with the pooled sample for each outcome. Interaction terms examined demographic differences. <b>Results.</b> Young adults experienced increased odds in reported history of anxiety diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31; <i>P</i> < .01), medication use (OR = 1.32; <i>P</i> < .001), and anxiety frequency (OR = 1.28; <i>P</i> < .001) in 2024 compared with 2020. Women, sexual minorities, and White respondents had higher odds of all 4 anxiety outcomes compared with peers. Intersectional differences appeared by race/ethnicity, sex, and sexual orientation. <b>Conclusions.</b> Anxiety outcomes among young adults remain a growing concern, though patterns vary by demographic group. The increase in anxiety in the 2024 cohort compared with the 2020 cohort requires public health attention on the potential long-term pandemic effects on young adult mental health. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. Published online ahead of print August 20, 2026:e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308632).