U.S. college students that had been diagnosed with select health issues fall 2023

A survey of college students in the United States from the fall of 2023 found that around 34 percent of students had been diagnosed with a cold/virus or other respiratory illness in the past 12 months, making this the most common diagnosis among students. Other common diagnoses included the flu and orthopedic injuries.

Common health conditions among U.S. college students

Concerning the most common health conditions U.S. college students had ever been diagnosed with, anxiety, environmental allergies, and acne were the most often reported. As of the fall of 2023, around 32 percent of college students in the U.S. stated they had been diagnosed with anxiety at some point in their lifetime. Anxiety was also the second most often reported condition that college students saw a healthcare professional for in the past year. Other health conditions college students saw a healthcare provider about were thyroid conditions, depression, and bipolar and related conditions.

Mental health among college students

As seen above, mental health problems are common among college students in the United States, with anxiety and depression particularly widespread. A survey of college students from 2022-2023 found that around 36 percent reported having been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, while 30 percent had been diagnosed with depression or another mood disorder. The same survey found that in the past year around 14 percent of college students had suicidal ideation, while six percent made suicide plans, and two percent attempted suicide. Many universities in the United States now offer on-campus mental health resources, however, around 19 percent of students state they do not know where to go on campus for professional help for mental or emotional health problems.