Children may have chronic physical or mental health problems, such as asthma or emotional or behavioral problems, which may have an impact on the child. Overall, the parents of 7.9 percent of children reported that their child has, or has had at least one of a list of chronic health conditions* and that this condition is moderate or severe.

This percentage rises with age. Of children aged 0-5, 4.4 percent are reported to have ever had a chronic condition that is moderate or severe, compared to 9.1 percent of children aged 6-11 and 10.0 percent of children aged 12-17.

Children in lower-income families are more likely to be reported to have ever had moderate or severe chronic conditions than are children in higher-income families. Of children with family incomes below the poverty level, 11.4 percent are reported to have had moderate or severe conditions, as do 9.4 percent of children with family incomes between 100 and 199 percent of FPL, 7.3 percent of children with family incomes between 200 and 399 percent of FPL, and 5.7 percent of children with family incomes of 400 percent of FPL or more.

*Including asthma; hearing or vision problems not correctable with glasses; Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); depression or anxiety; behavioral or conduct problems; bone, joint or muscle problems; diabetes; autism; a developmental delay or physical impairment; severe respiratory, food or skin allergies; frequent or severe headaches; or speech problems.