Anemia Prevalence: United States, August 2021-August 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: This report provides estimates of anemia prevalence during August 2021âAugust 2023 by sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, and poverty income ratio, a measure of family income.

Methods: Data from the August 2021âAugust 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to calculate anemia prevalence for people age 2 years and older using phlebotomy sample weights. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) less than 11.0 g/dL for children ages 2â4; Hb less than 11.5 g/dL for children 5â11; Hb less than 12.0 g/dL for children 12â14 and females 15 and older, and Hb less than 13.0 g/dL for males 15 and older. Differences between estimates overall and among subgroups were evaluated using t tests at the 0.05 level. Linear regression was used to test the significance of a linear trend by family income. All analyses accounted for the surveyâs complex, multistage probability design.

Key findings: During August 2021âAugust 2023, the overall prevalence of anemia in people age 2 and older was 9.3%, and prevalence was higher in females (13.0%) than in males (5.5%). The prevalence of anemia in Black non-Hispanic people was higher than in all other race and Hispanic-origin groups. Anemia prevalence increased with decreasing income overall. In all race and Hispanic-origin groups and income groups, females had higher anemia prevalence than males.