Adverse health defects that develop slowly and persist or re-occur frequently are referred to as what?

The term "chronic" is used to describe adverse health defects that develop slowly and persist or reoccur frequently over an extended period. Chronic conditions often have long-lasting effects on an individual’s health and can require ongoing management. This contrasts with acute conditions, which arise suddenly and typically last for a short duration. The term transitory refers to conditions that are temporary and do not last long, while latent describes conditions that are present but not immediately apparent or active. In the context of health, chronic conditions can significantly affect quality of life and may involve progressive deterioration or require continuous care, making the definition of chronic the most applicable for this question.