Chronic disease can cause significant burdens among Australia's
children, says a new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
(AIHW) bulletin.
The bulletin, Selected chronic diseases among Australia's
children, presents information on the incidence, prevalence
and trends for three of the major chronic diseases among
children-asthma, diabetes and cancer.
The bulletin highlights asthma as the most common chronic
disease among Australian children aged 0-14 years. In 2002-03, it
was the most common reason for hospitalisation for children in that
age group.
Meredith Bryant of the AIHW's Children Youth and Families Unit
said asthma was also a common cause of school absences, with 24% of
children missing a day of school within the last two weeks,
compared with 16% of children without asthma.
Diabetes is on the rise among Australian children, although the
total number of cases is still relatively small.
'Research has identified many risk factors associated with the
development of childhood chronic disease, but very few are
modifiable risk factors. The exception is Type 2 diabetes, which is
associated with modifiable factors that include being overweight or
obese,' said Ms Bryant.
While Type 1 diabetes accounts for 98% of diabetes in children,
there is evidence to suggest that the incidence of Type 2 diabetes
is also increasing.
Cancer, although relatively rare, is still the most common cause
of death due to chronic disease among children.
'Fortunately, child deaths due to chronic disease are relatively
rare and death rates have been declining over the last 10 years.
The death rate from cancer for children aged 0-14 years reduced by
over a third between 1994 and 2003.
'Chronic diseases in childhood are significant because they
occur at a time when they threaten a child's normal
development.
'And because children with chronic diseases are still developing,
physically and emotionally, their care needs are very different
from those of chronically ill adults,' said Ms Bryant.
The bulletin emphasises that while the majority of children
overcome the obstacles that chronic illness presents, it is still
important to normalise as much as possible the life experiences of
these children, minimising periods of hospitalisation, maintaining
contact with family and friends and maximising participation in
education and other activities.
2 September 2005
Further information: Meredith Bryant, AIHW,
tel. 02 6244 1112, or 0407 915 851
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of Selected chronic diseases
among Australia's children