What percent of children in the United States have a chronic illness?

• A. 10%
• B. 25%
• C. 40%
• D. 60%

Answer: (B)

Chronic illness in children is fairly common, influencing healthcare needs, school participation, and family life. National data typically place the prevalence around one in four kids, meaning about 25% have a condition that lasts or requires ongoing management, such as asthma, diabetes, obesity-related health issues, or certain mental health conditions. The exact percentage can vary a bit depending on how a chronic condition is defined and which age groups are included, but 25% is a widely cited estimate in educational materials.

If the estimate were much lower, it would understate the impact many families experience; if it were much higher, it would imply that nearly half or more of all children live with a chronic illness, which current data do not support.