25 Million Young Americans Now Living with Chronic Conditions: Research

Synopsis

A recent study reveals that the prevalence of chronic conditions among young Americans has reached alarming levels, with approximately 25 million individuals aged 5 to 25 affected. Conditions like ADHD, autism, and anxiety are significantly impacting their lives, particularly among those facing socioeconomic disadvantages.

Key Takeaways

30% of young Americans now live with chronic conditions.
25 million youth aged 5 to 25 affected.
Conditions include ADHD, autism, asthma, and anxiety.
Higher prevalence in socioeconomically vulnerable youth.
Access to quality healthcare can improve outcomes.

New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) The incidence of chronic conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, asthma, prediabetes, and depression or anxiety has surged to a staggering 30 percent over the last two decades in the United States, according to a recent study.

The findings indicate that nearly one in three young individuals, approximately 25 million people aged 5 to 25, are now contending with these conditions that have originated in their childhood. This reality is significantly impacting and restricting their quality of life.

Lead author Lauren Wisk, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California-Los Angeles, stated, “The prevalence of childhood conditions is currently higher than previous estimates suggest.”

Wisk also highlighted that youth facing socioeconomic challenges, such as lower education levels, reduced income, reliance on public insurance, or unemployment, are more likely to experience chronic conditions compared to their more advantaged peers.

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Academic Pediatrics, this study analyzed data from roughly 236,500 participants across the U.S. aged 5 to 25 years.

The research revealed that the rate of chronic conditions among children aged 5 to 17 has escalated from about 23 percent in 1999/2000 to over 30 percent by 2017/2018, translating to an estimated 130,000 additional affected children each year.

For young adults aged 18 to 25 years, prevalence increased from 18.5 percent to 29 percent during the same timeframe, approximately adding 80,000 young adults annually.

Most of these conditions are manageable with access to quality healthcare, according to Wisk.

The researcher called for increased investment to ensure these young individuals can effectively engage with healthcare throughout their lives to safeguard their health and well-being.