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Childhood chronic illness: Prevalence, severity, and impact

Author

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  • Newacheck, P.W.
  • Taylor, W.R.

Abstract

Background. Using data from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey, this article presents national estimates of the prevalence and impact of childhood chronic conditions. Methods. Proxy responses to a checklist of child health conditions administered for 17 110 children under 18 years of age were used. Conditions were classified as chronic if they were first noticed more than 3 months prior to the interview or if they were the type that would ordinarily be of extended duration, such as arthritis. Results. An estimated 31% of children were affected by chronic conditions. Among these children, highly prevalent conditions included respiratory allergies 9.7 per 100, repeated ear infections 8.3 per 100 and asthma 4.3 per 100. These children can be divided into three groups: 66% with mild conditions that result in little or no bother or activity limitation; 29% with conditions of moderate severity that result in some bother or limitation of activity, but not both; and 5% with severe conditions that cause frequent bother and limitation of activity. The 5% with severe conditions accounted for 19% of physician contacts and 33% of hospital days related to chronic illness. Conclusions. Childhood chronic conditions have highly variable impacts on children's activities and use of health care.

Suggested Citation

  • Newacheck, P.W. & Taylor, W.R., 1992. "Childhood chronic illness: Prevalence, severity, and impact," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 82(3), pages 364-371.
  • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1992:82:3:364-371_0
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    Cited by:

    1. Swetha Valluri & Sheila Mammen & Daniel Lass, 2015. "Health Care Use Among Rural, Low-Income Women and Children: Results from a 2-Stage Negative Binomial Model," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 154-164, March.
    2. Sylvia Brandt & Sara Gale & Ira Tager, 2012. "The value of health interventions: evaluating asthma case management using matching," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(17), pages 2245-2263, June.
    3. Charles Link & Simon Condliffe, 2005. "Why Does the Relationship between Economic Status and Child Health Strengthen for Older Children in the U.S.? Evidence from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics," Working Papers 05-18, University of Delaware, Department of Economics.
    4. Holly Heard & Bridget Gorman & Carolyn Kapinus, 2008. "Family Structure and Self-Rated Health in Adolescence and Young Adulthood," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 27(6), pages 773-797, December.

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