A new ARCH Lab study has shed light on the factors linked to physical and mental health conditions in children — and how these issues often overlap. Using data from over 33,000 children aged 5 to 17 participating in the Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth, researchers found that more than half had at least one long-term health condition, and nearly 10% had both physical and mental/neurodevelopmental disorders, known as “multimorbidity.”
The paper, titled “Correlates of single morbidities and multimorbidity in children: A cross-sectional study” revealed that older children, especially teens, were more likely to experience these health challenges. Boys were more likely than girls to have physical illnesses and neurodevelopmental disorders, while mental disorders were more evenly distributed.
One of the strongest predictors of child health problems was the mental health and stress level of parents. Children whose parents reported high stress or poor mental health were significantly more likely to have mental or neurodevelopmental disorders, or multimorbidity. This highlights the importance of family-centered care and support for caregivers.
Interestingly, children from immigrant families and visible minority groups were less likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions, which may reflect cultural differences in seeking care or barriers to accessing services.
The study calls for better screening, culturally sensitive services, and targeted support for families — especially those facing socioeconomic challenges. By understanding these risk factors, health professionals and policymakers can better support children’s well-being and reduce the long-term impact of multimorbidity.
