Differences in physical and mental health status for people with different types of disabilities

Background: A growing body of research shows that people with disabilities experience health disparities compared to people without disabilities. Study of disparities between subgroups of people with disabilities has been much more limited. To address this gap, we examined disparities in perceived health status by disability type among working age adults (18-64 years) with disabilities.

Methods: We conducted logistic regression analyses to examine associations between perceived physical and mental health status and disability type while controlling for demographic and economic factors, as well as disability severity and presence of chronic conditions. Our data source was Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2002-2008. Analyses accounted for the complex survey design of MEPS. Adults with hearing impairment were used as the reference category for comparing disability types.

Results: Adults with physical limitations and those with multiple types of disabilities were more likely to report fair or poor physical health (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.68-2.40 and AOR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.93-2.79 respectively). Individuals with cognitive limitations or with multiple disabilities were more likely to report fair or poor mental health (AOR = 5.03, 95% CI = 3.87-6.54 and AOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.44-2.44).

Conclusions: People with multiple disabilities appear at greater risk of both poor physical and mental health while controlling for other relevant factors. Other health status disparities differed by disability type. Efforts to improve physical and mental health require a nuanced approach to address variations in disparities among people with disabilities.