Year of Publication

2024

College

Public Health

Date Available

4-26-2026

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

Committee Chair

Erin Haynes

Committee Member

Florence Fulk

Committee Member

Chris Delcher

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction

Prescription stimulants have a long history of clinical use dating as far back as the 1930s. In the United States stimulant prescribing rates have steadily climbed over the last 3 decades. The primary objective is to describe recent (2021-2023) prescribing trends of stimulant medications in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Methods

Prescription data collected from Kentucky’s prescription drug monitoring (PDMP) database known as the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting System (KASPER). Annual and quarterly trends in stimulant prescribing between 2021-2023 were calculated, examined by age, sex, and geographic location.

Results

Stimulant prescribing increased by ~15% where the majority of this surge is attributable to short-acting amphetamines prescribed to adults 25 to 44 years old for ADHD. Women had considerably higher rates of stimulant prescribing in all age groups except those under 25 years old. The geographic distribution of all stimulants was primarily concentrated in non-Appalachian counties throughout the state.

Conclusion

Considerable surges in the rate of stimulant prescribing was observed across various age groups, genders, and geographic regions of the state. Early working aged (25 to 24) men and women saw similar increases in prescribing although women experienced higher rates.

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Available for download on Sunday, April 26, 2026

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