An illness, disease or condition that requires special care or attention is a(n):

• A. Health impairment
• B. Physical disability
• C. Accommodation
• D. Prosthetic

Answer: (A)

Understanding how health terms are used in physical education helps teachers plan for safety and inclusion. A health impairment is an illness, disease, or condition that requires special care or attention. This phrasing signals that the student’s health status may need monitoring, potential medications, or activity adjustments during PE, even if the condition isn’t described as a disability.

This concept differs from physical disability, which refers to long-term limitations in physical functioning. It isn’t an accommodation, which is a change or adjustment made to how activities are carried out or how information is presented to support participation. It isn’t a prosthetic, which is a device used to replace a missing body part. For example, a student with asthma or diabetes would be described as having a health impairment because their condition requires planning and care during activity (like having an inhaler available or monitoring blood glucose), rather than being defined by a disability or by a device.