Prevalence and Costs of Five Chronic Conditions in Children

TLDR

This first study uses a single nationally representative dataset to examine costs and prevalence of chronic conditions in children, highlighting sociodemographic disparities that could guide resource allocation for school nurses. The study aims to assess the prevalence and health‑care costs of asthma, epilepsy, hypertension, food allergies, and diabetes among children aged 0–18 years. Prevalence was calculated from 2005–2012 MEPS data, and two‑part models estimated annual costs while controlling for sociodemographic factors. Prevalence varied by race/ethnicity, females had higher rates for all conditions except epilepsy, and children with asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy incurred an additional $1,377.60–$9,059.49 in annual medical expenses compared to those without these conditions.

Abstract

The objective is to examine the prevalence and health-care costs associated with asthma, epilepsy, hypertension, food allergies, and diabetes in children aged 0-18 years. Prevalence was calculated using 2005-2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data, a population-based, nationally representative sample. Using MEPS, two-part models estimated the cost of each condition for all children while controlling for sociodemographic categories. Prevalence rates varied by race and ethnicity across conditions. Females had higher prevalence of all chronic conditions, except epilepsy. An additional US$1,377.60-US$9,059.49 annually were spent on medical expenses for children aged 0-18 years, with asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy compared to children without these conditions. This is the first study to examine the costs and prevalence of chronic health conditions in children and adolescents using a single data set. Understanding the odds of having a condition by sociodemographic categories highlights disparities that can potentially inform school nurses on the best allocation of resources to serve students.