This study examines the health status of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in a large, diverse, insured population in the United States. The research was conducted by Lisa A. Croen, Ousseny Zerbo, Ying Qian, and others from Kaiser Permanente Northern California and the University of California, San Francisco. The study compared adults with ASD (N=1,507) to a matched control group (N=15,070) and found significantly higher rates of psychiatric and medical conditions among those with ASD. Key findings include: - **Psychiatric Conditions**: Over half (54%) of adults with ASD were diagnosed with a psychiatric condition, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and suicide attempts. The risk of most psychiatric conditions was significantly elevated compared to controls. - **Medical Conditions**: Nearly all major chronic medical conditions were more common in adults with ASD, including immune conditions, gastrointestinal and sleep disorders, seizure, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Rarer conditions like stroke and Parkinson's disease were also more prevalent. The study highlights the urgent need for improved health education and healthcare delivery strategies to address the health needs of this growing population. The findings suggest that communication and social impairments, sensory processing difficulties, and lifestyle factors may contribute to the higher rates of these conditions. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and improve patient care.This study examines the health status of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in a large, diverse, insured population in the United States. The research was conducted by Lisa A. Croen, Ousseny Zerbo, Ying Qian, and others from Kaiser Permanente Northern California and the University of California, San Francisco. The study compared adults with ASD (N=1,507) to a matched control group (N=15,070) and found significantly higher rates of psychiatric and medical conditions among those with ASD. Key findings include: - **Psychiatric Conditions**: Over half (54%) of adults with ASD were diagnosed with a psychiatric condition, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and suicide attempts. The risk of most psychiatric conditions was significantly elevated compared to controls. - **Medical Conditions**: Nearly all major chronic medical conditions were more common in adults with ASD, including immune conditions, gastrointestinal and sleep disorders, seizure, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Rarer conditions like stroke and Parkinson's disease were also more prevalent. The study highlights the urgent need for improved health education and healthcare delivery strategies to address the health needs of this growing population. The findings suggest that communication and social impairments, sensory processing difficulties, and lifestyle factors may contribute to the higher rates of these conditions. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and improve patient care.