Reframing ‘chronic conditions’ in adolescent health: why terminology matters for person-centred and equitable care

Abstract

The terms <i>chronic health conditions</i> and <i>long-term health conditions</i> are often used interchangeably, yet they carry distinct conceptual emphases. Chronic health conditions typically prioritise ongoing medical management reflecting a predominantly biomedical and adult-centred care logic. In contrast, long-term health conditions foreground the enduring consequences of illness for an individual's development and wellbeing across the life course. This debate examines the implications of these terms, particularly for adolescent health, arguing that persistent reliance on adult-centred biomedical framings obscures developmental, relational and contextual dimensions of care. Intentional reframing of terminology in policy, research and practice can support adolescent-centred, developmentally appropriate approaches that extend beyond disease control to encompass physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Such a shift has implications for the design of interventions, service delivery and policy frameworks, enabling healthcare systems to better support adolescents' needs and their transition to adulthood. While adolescence provides a critical lens, this reframing holds relevance across the life course by strengthening person-centred approaches to care.