Objectives : This study measures the prevalence of disability and its severity among RI adults in 1998. The classification of disability severity is then applied to examine disparities in health status. Methods : Disability was measured by using four 1998 RI BRFSS disability screener questions; work limitations, learning difficulty, use of equipment to get around, and activity limitations. Severe disability was measured by three further questions among those who have a disability: help needed for activities of daily living (ADL), help needed for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and severe mobility problems. These people with disabilities were then compared with those without disabilities on health status measures (general heath, physical health, and mental health). Results : Overall, 21.0% of the non-institutionalized Rhode Island adult population had some degree of disability; 5.5% had a severe disability and 15.5% had a moderate disability. People with disabilities reported consistently poorer health in all health status measures. People with severe disabilities (59.0%) were 9 times more likely than people without disabilities (6.4%), and people with moderate disabilities (31.5%) were 5 times more likely than people without disabilities to report fair/poor general health. The disparities seen in the physical health among three groups were much larger than disparities seen in the mental health. Conclusions : Disability severity classification provides important information to explain health status disparities. Health status is profoundly negatively associated with disability severity. To eliminate health disparities, more resources need to be directed to people with disabilities.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to 1)utilize the BRFSS screener questions to measure the severity of disability, and 2) apply the classification of severity to assess health status disparities
Keywords: Disability Studies, Data/Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.