According to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, children and youth with special health care needs (CSHCN) are those who have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions and also need health care and services beyond those needed by children in general.⁷ Services include care from pediatric specialists, mental health specialists, and physical therapists. The following chapter focuses on the health status and basics of care for CSHCN. For even more information on CSHCN, please see the OFHS report, “A Profile of Children with Special Health Care Needs in Ohio: OFHS 2008 Final Report”.⁵

The percentage of children with special health care needs who had asthma (mild, moderate, or severe) is three times that of all children in Ohio (32.4% for CSHCN compared to 10.7% overall). Children with special health care needs are also more likely to be overweight or obese than the overall child population (40.6% or CSHCN compared to 35.6% overall).

Significantly more children and youth with special health care needs in Ohio were covered by Medicaid/SCHIP in 2008 than in 2004. Also, significantly more children and youth with special health care needs in Ohio had a personal doctor or nurse in 2008 than in 2004.

A greater proportion of CSHCN had unmet needs (dental care, prescription drug, and any health care) than overall children in Ohio. Also, more CSHCN in the lowest income households had problems getting needed specialist care than CSHCN in households with other income levels.