There is no question that the younger generation of children suffer more immune system disorders — including autoimmune conditions and cancer — than their grandparents or great-grandparents did.

Could this be the result of less exposure to childhood illnesses that are usually self-limited, illnesses like chickenpox? I fear the answer is yes.

Common childhood illnesses, though no fun for parent or kids, do serve a purpose. They help to stimulate the immune system.

Likewise, common colds stimulate the immune system. Lack of immune system stimulation can lead to severe immune system problems like autoimmune disorders and cancer. I can’t tell you how many young patients with cancer report that they never suffer with a cold virus.

That’s one of the reasons I think vaccinating against chickenpox is a bad policy — because it removes a common childhood illness that stimulates and strengthens the immune system.

I fear this generation of children, almost all of whom received chickenpox vaccinations (along with far too many other vaccinations), will suffer from more autoimmune and other immune system disorders at younger and younger ages.

In addition, I fear this state of affairs will lead this generation to have a poorer overall health than previous generations.

I hope I’m wrong about this. But what I’ve seen confirms my fears.