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
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.
Percentage of U.S. college students that had been diagnosed with select health issues in the past 12 months as of fall 2023
Characteristic
Percentage of respondents
Cold/virus or other respiratory illness
33.7%
Flu (influenza) or flu-like illness
10.9%
Stomach or GI virus or bug, food poisoning, or gastritis
Other short-term, temporary illness not listed above
3.7%
Bronchitis
3.5%
Concussion
2.8%
Mononucleosis (mono)
1.6%
Pneumonia
1.2%
Chlamydia
1.1%
Chicken Pox (Varicella)
0.6%
Gonorrhea
0.5%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Percentage of respondents33.7%33.7%10.9%10.9%9.2%9.2%8.7%8.7%8.4%8.4%3.7%3.7%3.5%3.5%2.8%2.8%1.6%1.6%1.2%1.2%1.1%1.1%0.6%0.6%0.5%0.5%0.5%0.5%0.4%0.4%0.3%0.3%Cold/virus or other respiratory illnessFlu (influenza) or flu-like illnessStomach or GI virus or bug, food poisoning, or gastritisOrthopedic injury (broken bone, fracture, sprain, bursitis, tendinitis, orligament injury)Urinary tract infectionOther short-term, temporary illness not listed aboveBronchitisConcussionMononucleosis (mono)PneumoniaChlamydiaChicken Pox (Varicella)GonorrheaShinglesPelvic Inflammatory DiseaseMumps
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NCHA. (March 21, 2024). Percentage of U.S. college students that had been diagnosed with select health issues in the past 12 months as of fall 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/826999/health-issues-among-college-students-us/
NCHA. "Percentage of U.S. college students that had been diagnosed with select health issues in the past 12 months as of fall 2023." Chart. March 21, 2024. Statista. Accessed February 19, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/826999/health-issues-among-college-students-us/
NCHA. (2024). Percentage of U.S. college students that had been diagnosed with select health issues in the past 12 months as of fall 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 19, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/826999/health-issues-among-college-students-us/
NCHA. "Percentage of U.S. College Students That Had Been Diagnosed with Select Health Issues in The past 12 Months as of Fall 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/826999/health-issues-among-college-students-us/
NCHA, Percentage of U.S. college students that had been diagnosed with select health issues in the past 12 months as of fall 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/826999/health-issues-among-college-students-us/ (last visited February 19, 2025)
Percentage of U.S. college students that had been diagnosed with select health issues in the past 12 months as of fall 2023 [Graph], NCHA, March 21, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/826999/health-issues-among-college-students-us/
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