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Prevalence and Costs of Five Chronic Conditions in Children

Gabrielle F Miller1, Edward Coffield2, Zanie Leroy3

  • 1Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA gferro@cdc.gov.

The Journal of School Nursing : the Official Publication of the National Association of School Nurses
|April 6, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals significant healthcare costs for childhood chronic conditions like asthma, epilepsy, and diabetes. Findings highlight prevalence disparities by race, ethnicity, and sex, informing resource allocation for pediatric health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Health Economics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Chronic conditions significantly impact children's health and healthcare expenditure.
  • Understanding prevalence and cost variations is crucial for effective public health strategies.
  • Previous research often analyzed conditions in isolation, limiting comprehensive insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and associated healthcare costs of asthma, epilepsy, hypertension, food allergies, and diabetes in children aged 0-18 years.
  • To analyze cost and prevalence variations across sociodemographic categories, including race and ethnicity.
  • To provide a unified dataset for examining chronic childhood conditions and their economic burden.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a nationally representative sample from 2005-2012.
  • Employed two-part statistical models to estimate healthcare costs for each condition.
  • Controlled for sociodemographic factors to identify disparities in prevalence and cost.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence rates for chronic conditions varied significantly by race and ethnicity.
  • Females exhibited higher prevalence for all chronic conditions except epilepsy.
  • Annual medical expenses increased by US$1,377.60-US$9,059.49 for children with asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of chronic childhood conditions using a single dataset.
  • Identified sociodemographic disparities in condition prevalence can guide targeted interventions.
  • Findings can inform school nurses and policymakers on optimal resource allocation for pediatric populations.

Keywords:
asthmachronic diseasesdiabetesepilepsyfood allergieshypertension

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