Adolescence, chronic illness and disability.
The prevalence of chronic illness or disability in adolescence has increased in recent years. In the past, children with certain chronic diseases did not reach adolescence, but over the last decade the survival rate has increased manyfold. The old morbidity (infectious disease, poor housing, poverty, lack of immunisation) has been exchanged with a new morbidity of adolescence, where a longer life expectancy is followed by an increase in lifelong disability. This review discusses issues concerned with the definition of disability in adolescence, reviews prevalence studies in several countries, the causes of disability, disparities, access and expenditure of health care, psychosocial aspects, and how to promote better outcomes.
Morad
Mohammed
M
Department of Family Medicine, Zusman Child Development Center, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel. morad62@013.net.il
Kandel
Isack
I
Hyam
Eytan
E
Merrick
Joav
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005190:Family; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012944:Social Support