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starting college with a chronic condition: tips for a healthy start

Teen talks with specialist and parent about mental health resources

Starting college is a big transition! New classes, potentially a new place to live and a lot more independence! If you’re managing a chronic condition like diabetes, epilepsy, a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder or a mental health condition, you might also be wondering how you’ll stay on top of your health while being away from home.  

The good news is that a little planning can help you feel more prepared and confident before move-in day. 

start planning before classes start

A few months before college starts, make a checklist of your health needs. Having a plan in place can help reduce stress once classes begin. Make a simple checklist that includes: 

  • Medications and prescriptions  
  • Doctor appointments  
  • Medical supplies  
  • Insurance coverage  
  • Emergency contacts  
  • School accommodations  

make sure you can get your prescriptions filled

One of the most important steps is figuring out how you’ll get your medications while at school. 

Before leaving for college: 

  • Ask your doctor for enough refills to last through the semester if possible  
  • Set reminders so you don’t run out of medication 
  • Find a pharmacy near campus and learn how to transfer prescriptions if needed 
  • Check if your insurance works in your college town  

This is especially important for students managing conditions like: 

  • Diabetes that requires insulin or glucose monitoring supplies  
  • Epilepsy medications that need to be taken consistently  
  • GI conditions that require daily medications  
  • Mental health medications that should not be stopped suddenly  

If you use specialty medications, ask your care team how deliveries will work at school.

know where to go for medical care

Before classes start, learn about the healthcare options near campus. 

Find out: 

  • Where the student health center is located  
  • Which urgent care or emergency room is closest  
  • Whether there are pediatric or adult specialists nearby  

Some students may continue seeing their pediatric specialist during college breaks or through virtual visits. Others may need help transitioning to an adult care provider closer to campus. 

Talk with your specialist before college about: 

  • How often you need follow-up visits  
  • What symptoms mean it’s time to schedule an appointment  
  • What to do if you have a flare-up or emergency 

take charge of your health

College is often the first time students manage healthcare on their own. Practice skills like: 

  • Scheduling appointments  
  • Calling in prescription refills  
  • Tracking symptoms  
  • Understanding your medications  

Keeping important medical information in your phone can also help in an emergency. Include your diagnosis, medications, allergies and emergency contacts. 

teen girl hydrates after playing soccer

don’t ignore mental health

Changes in sleep, routines and stress can affect both physical and mental health. If you already manage anxiety, depression or another mental health condition, stick to your treatment plan and know how to access counseling services on campus. 

Even students without a diagnosed mental health condition may struggle during the transition to college. Reaching out for support early can make a big difference. 

build healthy habits

Healthy routines can help you manage symptoms and feel your best. Try to: 

  • Get enough sleep  
  • Eat regular meals  
  • Stay hydrated  
  • Use reminders for medications and appointments  

Students with chronic conditions may also qualify for accommodations through their college’s disability services office. This could include things like flexible attendance or housing needs. Ask your doctor about any paperwork you may need before school starts. 

you don’t have to figure it out alone

Starting college with a chronic condition may take extra preparation, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Consider talking with your roommate and close friends about your health needs. Many chronic conditions are “invisible,” so others may not know when you need help unless you share it with them. Letting someone know what to watch for and how to help in an emergency can help you feel safer and more supported on campus.  

Starting college can feel overwhelming, especially with a chronic condition, but support is available. Your healthcare team, family and school resources are there to support you along the way. 

With preparation and the right support, you can spend less time worrying about your condition and more time enjoying your college experience. 

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care that goes above and beyond

Because every child deserves care that goes above and beyond, Dayton Children’s provides compassionate, expert care for kids of all ages. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or learn more about conditions we treat today.

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tips for transitioning from pediatric to adult care

teen poses with parent

Turning 18 comes with a lot of “firsts,” including taking more responsibility for your health. Along with more independence comes new responsibility, like managing appointments, understanding your insurance and speaking up about your care. For many teens and families, the move from pediatric to adult healthcare can feel overwhelming at first.  

The good news? Preparing early can make the transition much smoother. 

Whether your teen has a chronic condition or just visits the doctor once a year, learning how adult healthcare works is something they’ll use for the rest of their life. Here’s what families should know about transitioning to adult care and how to prepare now.

what changes when you turn 18?

At age 18, you become a legal adult. This means: 

  • You make your own medical decisions  
  • Healthcare providers will speak directly to you  
  • Your medical records become private  
  • Parents or caregivers can no longer access your information without permission  
  • Medical bills will be in your name 

Even if you stay on a parent’s insurance plan, these responsibilities will shift to you. 

why transitioning to adult healthcare matters

Learning how to manage your health helps build confidence over time. It also prepares teens for college, work, sports and everyday adult life.  

For teens with chronic conditions or ongoing medical needs, planning ahead is especially important. 

tips for teens preparing for adult care

The best time to prepare for adult healthcare is before turning 18. Small steps now can help teens feel more confident later. 

1. Start taking part in appointments

Practice answering questions during doctor visits instead of letting a parent answer everything. Try asking at least one question during each appointment. 

2. Learn about your health history

Teens should know: 

  • Current medications  
  • Allergies  
  • Past surgeries or medical conditions  
  • Family health history  
  • Vaccine history  

Keeping this information organized can make appointments much easier. 

3. Practice real-life healthcare tasks

Begin practicing skills like: 

  • Scheduling appointments  
  • Checking in at visits 
  • Refilling prescriptions  
  • Logging into MyChart  
  • Calling the doctor’s office with questions  

These are small steps that build confidence over time. 

4. Understand HIPAA and medical privacy

HIPAA is a law that protects private health information. Once a teen turns 18, healthcare providers can’t share medical information with parents or caregivers without permission. 

Teens can choose to share access by signing a release of information form. 

mother talks to teen son about mental health

tips for parents supporting the transition

For parents and caregivers, this transition can feel emotional. It may be hard stepping back after years of managing everything. The goal is to move from managing care to supporting independence.

Here are ways parents can help: 

  • Talking about medical forms like release of information or healthcare power of attorney if needed   
  • Encouraging teens to practice healthcare tasks  
  • Review insurance information together  
  • Talking about how involved they want to be after age 18  

transitioning to adult care for teens with chronic conditions

Teens with chronic illnesses, complex medical needs or disabilities may need extra support during this transition. 

Some conditions require ongoing care into adulthood. These conditions may include: 

  • Diabetes  
  • Epilepsy  
  • Asthma  
  • Heart conditions  
  • Gastrointestinal disorders  
  • Mental health conditions  

Families should start talking with their healthcare team early about transition planning, adult specialists and long-term care needs. 

a simple healthcare transition checklist 

Before turning 18, teens should try to: 

  • Know their medications and allergies  
  • Carry an insurance card  
  • Schedule an appointment on their own 
  • Refill a prescription  
  • Log into MyChart  
  • Ask questions during appointments  
  • Understand who has access to their health information  

growing into independence

Transitioning to adult care does not happen overnight. It is a gradual process that takes practice, patience and support from both teens and caregivers. 

With preparation and guidance, teens can feel more confident taking charge of their health and future. 

If you have questions about transitioning to adult healthcare, talk with your child’s primary care provider for additional support and resources. 

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care that goes above and beyond

Because every child deserves care that goes above and beyond, Dayton Children’s provides compassionate, expert care for kids of all ages. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or learn more about conditions we treat today.

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schedule appointment
conditions we treat


empathy in action: the role of community health workers in asthma treatment

woman helps young child with asthma inhaler

Asthma is a significant challenge for more than 4.5 million children under 18, impacting their daily lives, aspirations and dreams. At Dayton Children’s, we are dedicated not only to treating asthma but also to enhancing the overall wellness of every child living with this condition. 

Our Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a pivotal role in this mission, serving as important links between our patients and the resources that can transform their lives. By reaching out to families after a diagnosis, CHWs empower them with the knowledge and tools they need to manage asthma comprehensively, fostering resilience and a brighter, healthier future. 

CHW’s like Precious Brown have a unique connection to our community which impacts the way they carry out their job.  

Precious’ path: making a difference as a Community Health Worker

“I always wanted to give back to the community in which I grew up and helped mold me into the woman I am today. The only issue was I was unsure of how to fulfill that passion.” 

Precious Brown, community health worker, has been serious about her mission to make a difference in this community.  

When the opportunity was presented to join the team at Dayton Children’s, she was excited to be supported in pursuing her Masters in Public Health while also fulfilling her lifelong dream of helping others.  

“Being in this position, the impact that we are able to make for the families we serve is inexplicably rewarding,” shares Precious. “I remember when I was growing up I would watch my mom do things for people around her. Whether it was just a conversation or a gesture, I would see a sense of relief present on their faces and in their body. It was like a language that brought a calmness to everyone who was there to witness.” 

For Tabitha Miller, when her 8-year-old son Mason was diagnosed with asthma at Dayton Children’s, the presence of a CHW made her feel instant relief.  

“I started crying when she called me and she shared how she could help,” explained Tabitha. “I thought this was a blessing to have that extra help instead of just going to the doctor.” 

above and beyond support for asthma patients

So what exactly is the role of a CHW? It may be hard to label but easy to tell that it makes a big impact.  

“Sometimes we are therapists, educators, advisories, mediators and the lists can continue,” says Precious. “But of most importance we are advocators. As asthma Community Health Workers, we strive to help patients and their families healthily manage their asthma. This can look many ways, such as providing education to the patients about medication, environmental triggers, the importance of making office visits and what to do when symptoms are present and threatening.” 

Beyond education, CHW’s may also provide allergen bedding, swifter dusters, green cleaning buckets as an alternative to using harmful and asthma triggering chemicals, HEPA vacuums, spacers and more. All to limit the patient’s exposure to triggers that could cause irritation to the airways and provoke their asthma symptoms. 

Of course our CHWs also go above and beyond like Mekayla Pullins, who is the CHW for the Miller family.

A Community Health worker poses with an asthma patient

“She goes with us to doctors’ appointments. She’s always messaging to see how Mason is doing. She met up with us last minute because my son does not like taking his steroid inhaler to help with his asthma and he was going to have to start taking shots once a week and she printed off some papers and explained everything to us and he’s been doing his breathing better since!” 

By holistically helping the family to improve factors, stressors and triggers, it can make outcomes for the child patient much better! 

“What I think most are unaware of when it comes to asthma, is that it can be deadly. Asthma is a life-threatening disease and should be treated as such. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with the effects of asthma and you help asthmatic families at any capacity try and find time to research do that you are best equipped to help these families.” 

the importance of asthma awareness

By raising awareness, people are more likely to recognize the signs of asthma, seek appropriate medical care, and understand how to manage the condition effectively. Additionally, increased awareness can lead to advocacy for policies and resources that support asthma prevention, research, and access to quality healthcare for asthma sufferers. Ultimately, the purpose of raising awareness is to enhance the quality of life for people living with asthma and reduce the burden of the disease on society. 

Today, Mason is an active kid who is excited to start playing football this year! Thanks to support and guidance from CHWs, this is possible and our hope for all kids!

 “I find it important to not assume that everyone around you, including the families, are as knowledgeable. So, educate profusely but not with the absence of compassion. Extend grace and patience and make sure that you are serving each case uniquely because it will be most beneficial,” shares Precious.  

To learn more about our CHW program and our hospital’s commitment to health equity, click here.  

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care that goes above and beyond

Because every child deserves care that goes above and beyond, Dayton Children’s provides compassionate, expert care for kids of all ages. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or learn more about conditions we treat today.

find a provider
schedule appointment
conditions we treat