Percentage of US children who have chronic health conditions on the rise

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-04/aaop-pou042216.php

Public Release: 30-Apr-2016
Percentage of US children who have chronic health conditions on the rise
Diseases such as asthma and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have increased at a disproportionate rate among children living in poverty, according to new research being presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2016 Meeting
American Academy of Pediatrics

The percentage of children with chronic health conditions is on the rise, and new research being presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2016 Meeting shows this is especially true among children who live in or near poverty.

•••••

The study found more significant increases in asthma and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children living in poverty, as compared to their wealthier counterparts. Poor children with these conditions also were more likely to have two or more additional diseases. Those living in extreme poverty who had asthma and ADHD, for example, were roughly twice as likely to have at least one other chronic medical condition. Some of the more common co-existing conditions included developmental delays, autism, depression or anxiety, behavioral or conduct issues, speech and language problems, epilepsy/seizure disorders and learning disabilities. Among children who had public health insurance, significant increases were seen among all the chronic diseases studied. [Children w/o health insurance are less likely to see a doctor and be diagnosed.]

•••••