Global and regional insights: unravelling the epidemiological factors and burden of autism spectrum disorders with a focus on China from 1990 to 2021 - Report - MDSpire

Global and regional insights: unravelling the epidemiological factors and burden of autism spectrum disorders with a focus on China from 1990 to 2021

  • By

  • Yang Hai

  • Yuan Yang

  • Mingyang Zou

  • Pengpeng Ye

  • Jia Wang

  • Liwen Feng

  • Xiaomei Gong

  • Te Zhang

  • Maoyi Tian

  • Caihong Sun

  • Lijie Wu

  • May 21, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Analyzing the Epidemiological Factors of Autism in China

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social communication and behavior. The increasing prevalence of ASD globally highlights the need for understanding its epidemiological trends. In China, the long-term trends and future projections of ASD prevalence and burden remain critical for public health planning and resource allocation.

Data Highlights

YearAge-Standardised Prevalence (per 100,000)Age-Standardised DALYs Rate (per 100,000)
2021Projected: 660.28Projected: 126.66
Global Average by 2030793.01147.43

Key Findings

  • The age-standardised prevalence of ASD in China was lower than the global average from 1990 to 2021.
  • The average annual percentage change (AAPC) for prevalence and DALYs in China was 0.22% and 0.23%, respectively, higher than global averages.
  • By 2030, the prevalence of ASD in China is projected to reach 660.28 per 100,000.
  • There is a strong positive correlation between ASD prevalence and sociodemographic index (SDI) across countries.
  • ASD significantly contributes to health loss, particularly among preschool boys.
  • The health impact of ASD has been increasing over the past three decades.

Clinical Implications

The rising burden of ASD in China necessitates targeted prevention and control measures, especially for high-risk groups such as preschool-aged boys. Public health strategies must be informed by these epidemiological trends to effectively allocate resources and improve outcomes.

Conclusion

The findings indicate a concerning upward trend in the burden of ASD in China, emphasizing the need for urgent public health interventions. Continued monitoring and research are essential to address the growing impact of ASD.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Global Burden of Disease Study, 2021 -- Autism Spectrum Disorders in China: An Analysis of Temporal Trends in Prevalence, Incidence, and DALYs (1990–2021)
  2. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Global burden and prediction study of schizophrenia 1990–2030: comparison with China
  3. Frontiers in Pediatrics — Genetic insights into autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability: a regional population-based study from Northwest China
  4. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of autistic and non-autistic adults in Eastern Germany
  5. The Impact of Elevated Body Mass Index on Colorectal Cancer in China: Analysis from 1990 to 2021 and Projections for 2035
  6. Autism Spectrum Disorders in China: An Analysis of Temporal Trends in Prevalence, Incidence, and DALYs (1990–2021) Based on GBD 2021 Data
  7. Autism Spectrum Disorder - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
  8. Accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation targeting left primary motor cortex for children with autism spectrum disorder: multicentre randomised sham controlled trial | The BMJ

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