Chronic Health Conditions and Minority Youth

The number of U.S. young people with chronic health conditions has increased dramatically in the past few decades. More than a quarter of American children have a long-term health problem such as obesity or asthma.  Some children will overcome these conditions, but many will struggle with health issues their entire lives. Chronic health concerns in youth have both immediate effects and future financial and societal implications.

Unless addressed, many health problems in children will continue into adulthood. Asthma persists into adulthood in at least 25 percent of asthmatic children, for example, and there is a 70 percent chance that an overweight adolescent will be overweight or obese as an adult. Rapid increases in obesity and associated type 2 diabetes may lead to higher rates of adult cardiovascular disease.