RT Book, Section A1 Hicks, Patricia J. A2 Rudolph, Colin D. A2 Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 Lister, George E. A2 First, Lewis R. A2 Gershon, Anne A. SR Print(0) ID 6722447 T1 Chapter 123. Psychological and Behavioral Responses T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e YR 2011 FD 2011 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-149723-7 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6722447 RD 2024/03/29 AB There are more children with special health care conditions today because of the increased survival rates of children with complex conditions.1 The severity of pediatric chronic illness, as measured by increased mortality of children with chronic conditions, has increased as well, with 34% of childhood deaths attributable to non–injury related chronic conditions reported in 2001, compared with 24% in 1981.2 Children with chronic conditions represent an increasing proportion of hospitalized patients, because of the increase in their prevalence, the increase in severity of their conditions, and a decrease in admissions for acute conditions (as a result of increased prevention and outpatient management of acute conditions). Demand for care of chronic conditions in the ambulatory setting has also risen with increasing rates and recognition of asthma, obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, other mental health conditions, and many unclassified complex chronic conditions. Gaps in primary care systems for chronic illness, such as the lack of a “medical home” are compounded by reduced health care coverage or access, leaving many families burdened to manage complex conditions with little support.