This morning WebMD, an online health information tool, announced its plans to acquire ADDitude, a platform focused on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) resources and information for an undisclosed sum.

The site offers resources regarding symptoms and tests, treatments, educational plans and coping with the condition as an adult. Users are also able to tap into webinars, blogs, and interactive tools, including a podcast. The platform has multiple newsletters with different focuses, for example, one on parenting children with the condition, another on medication, and one on ADHD and learning disabilities at school.

Professionals can also use the site to access new research and strategies for helping people with the condition. The company brags about having more than 75 million interactions annually.

WHY IT MATTERS

The M&A will further WebMD's focus on giving disease-specific resources and content, according to the company. WebMD also predicts that it will be able to use its broad reach to expand ADDitude's users.

ADHD is a common condition in the United States. According to the CDC, 6.1 million children have been diagnosed with the condition. Boys are more likely than girls to have the condition. ADHD can lead to children struggling in school and in social settings.

The condition can be treated with medications and behavioral therapies. Children living with the condition may also get accommodations or modifications in school.

"ADDitude and WebMD share a core mission to empower patients with a digital health information platform that can improve and enhance their lives," WebMD and Internet Brands CEO Bob Brisco, said in a statement. "With the acquisition, WebMD can leverage its reach and scale to support the work of ADDitude, accelerate engagement with this growing patient population, and increase opportunities for customers that serve patients with ADHD." 

THE LARGER TREND

This isn't WebMD's first acquisition. In 2018, WebMD, an Internet Brands company, announced its purchase of Vital Consumer Services Division for Mdx Medical. The division is focused on connecting consumers to clinicians.

That same year WebMD also acquired Jobson Healthcare Information, a fellow digital health content brand.

In addition to growing in content, the platform has also had its eye on international expansion. In July of 2018 the company announced a deal with Chinese tech giant Tencent that would enable the introduction of the health info platform in Asia.