title: Prevalence of physical health issues of youth with school identified disabilities in residential settings: a brief report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Each year a number of youth with a school identified disability are placed in residential care. It has been well documented that these youth enter with elevated rates of behavioral, emotional, educational, mental health, and familial challenges. However, the physical and medical condition of these youth remains unstudied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of health and medical problems among a group of youth with school identified disabilities at entrance to a residential care center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Archival medical, demographic, and disability status data were obtained for 346 youth served in a large residential care center in the Midwest. Chi-square and correlation tests, and relative risk ratio estimates, were used to evaluate the relationship between medical condition and hypothesized correlates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings revealed that over one-third of the sample had at least one medical condition, with asthma being the most prevalent (15.6%). Rates of medical condition differed by disability type and prevalence of asthma differed by race/ethnicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Youth with a school identified disability in care demonstrate health care needs that need to be addressed while in care and following community reintegration. Intervention programs and targeted curriculum are needed to teach youth how to manage their health specific needs and how to independently navigate the health care system.
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA. Electronic address: alex.trout@unl.edu.
authors.forename: Alexandra L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Trout
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA.
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.affiliation: Boys Town, Boys Town, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D015995:Prevalence; D012574:Schools; D012947:Social Work
keywords: Health; Residential care; Special education