Child and adolescent chronic health conditions and educational attainment

Introduction: Childhood chronic health conditions are increasing in the US. For a number of reasons, including school absences, possible cognitive delays and poor psychosocial adjustment, these affected youth are potentially at risk of poor educational attainment. This study examined the association between chronic health conditions during childhood/adolescence and educational attainment. Methods: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth – Cohort 1997 was used for this analysis. Participants ranged in age from 12 - 16 years and were followed from 1997 through 2010. A chronic health condition was defined as parental (1997) or participant (2002) report of a chronic health condition. Educational attainment was defined as completion of high school or GED by age 21. Multivariate logistic regression models were fit to estimate the association between type of chronic health condition and educational attainment, adjusting for sociodemographic, academic, and psychosocial variables. Results: Youth with a chronic health condition had higher odds of poor educational attainment compared to those without a chronic health condition, OR: 1.47 (95% CI: 1.22 - 1.76). Youth with asthma, OR: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.31-2.02) and cancer/diabetes/epilepsy, OR: 1.96 (95% CI: 1.13 – 3.37) had higher odds of poor educational attainment. For those with cancer, diabetes, or epilepsy, lower cognitive score, more school absences, lower GPA, repeating a grade, and depressive symptoms significantly reduced this association. For those with asthma, depressive symptoms reduced the association. Conclusions: Youth with chronic health conditions have lower educational attainment. The association is complex and may be mediated by a number of factors.