Questions

Council for Children & Adolescents
with Chronic Health Conditions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is a Chronic Health Condition?

Chronic health conditions cover a wide variety of diagnoses, ranging from asthma and allergies to diabetes, hemophilia, neuromotor disorders, such as spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, etc., cancer and are not always immediately apparent.

The Council has defined a chronic health condition to include the four contributing factors:

• Biologically-based
• Lasting for an extended period of time
• Bringing about significant change in the life of the child
• Requiring more than the usual amount of medical care.

2. How does a chronic health condition affect a child?

By definition, chronic diseases are treatable, but not curable. Children with chronic illnesses visit their doctors more frequently and may endure more hospital visits than healthy children. A chronic condition is long lasting, and a child’s wellness may fluctuate. The course of a chronic health condition is unpredictable. Children with chronic illnesses may be healthy or ill at any given time.

3. How does a chronic health condition affect a family?

A child’s on-going health condition can cause an enormous amount of stress on the entire family, both emotionally and financially. These children and their families face numerous challenges, including school and education issues, insurance and medical concerns, and family support needs.