How does the health status of people with disabilities compare with the health status of people without disabilities?

Though limited, current data indicate that health disparities between people with and without disabilities are as pervasive as those recognized between ethnic minority groups. While several sources of data are currently being examined, the first compilation of data is available through Healthy People 2010, the U.S. strategic health plan.

  Healthy People 2010

For the first time in history, people with disabilities are fully included in the U.S. Healthy People plan. Data from this plan provide a broad look at the health of people with disabilities compared with people without disabilities.  Of the 467 objectives listed in Healthy People 2010, there are 207 subobjectives that address people with disabilities.  Some of the sub objectives focus on areas outside the usual scope of health care or health services, such as education, employment, transportation, and housing, all of which deeply affect wellness and quality of life. Disparity data are available for 58 of the 207 subobjectives. For a complete list of the 207 subobjectives, see Table 2 in the appendix of HP2010 Chapter 6,Vision for the Decade: Proceedings and Recommendations  [text version] [pdf version]

  Healthy People 2000

Healthy People 2000, the previous plan, contained 319 health objectives, of which 19 included people with disabilities. Data were reported in the Healthy People 2000 Progress Review 1998-99 for 7 of the 19 objectives. This initial and limited collection of data provided the nation's first glimpse of the health gaps between people with and without disabilities. For example, in 1994, 38% of people with disabilities and 35% of people without disabilities were overweight. The 2000 goal was 25 percent. In 1995, 29% of people with disabilities and 23% of people without disabilities reported no leisure-time physical activity. The 2000 goal was 20 percent.  For a complete listing of the 2000 objectives targeting people with disabilities, see Table 1 in the appendix of HP2010 Chapter 6,Vision for the Decade: Proceedings and Recommendations [text version] [pdf version]

  Women's Health  

In addition to examining the health of the disability community as a whole, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff are examining data on the health status of women with disabilities. For example:

Pap test: In 1994, 77.8% of women 18 through 44 years of age with at least one functional limitation had received a Pap test during the past 3 years compared with 80.2 percent of women without any limitation. Regardless of age (18 through 44, 45 through 64, or 65 years of age or older), women with functional limitations were consistently less likely to have received a Pap test in past 3 years than women without functional limitations. The gap increased beginning at age 45 years, indicating a need for screening intervention at 3-year intervals for women with disabilities 45 years of age or older.

Mammography screening: In 1994, 53.3% of women 40 through 49 years of age with at least one functional limitation and 60.6% of women without any limitation had received mammography screening during the past 2 years. The gap between women with and without functional limitations was widest among women in that age group, but the trend persisted across all examined age categories (40 years of age or younger, 40 through 49, 50 through 64, and 65 years of age or over), suggesting a need for screening interventions for women with disabilities aged 40 years of age or older.  Women younger than 40 years of age should discuss screening with their provider.

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of cervical and breast cancer screening among women with and without functional limitations - United States, 1994-1995. MMWR 1998.  47:853-6.

Survey: National Health Interview Survey, 1994-1995.

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National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances the potential for full, productive living.  Our work includes identifying the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.