The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55362

Ellen Kramarow, PhD, Aging Studies Branch, National Center for Health Statistics, 6525 Belcrest Road, Room 790, Hyattsville, MD 20782, 301-458-4325, ekramarow@cdc.gov and Elsie R. Pamuk, PhD, Office of Analysis, Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 1655, Eastsound, WA 98245.

Estimates of the disabled U.S. population vary greatly depending on the criteria used to define disability. In addition, the characteristics of the disabled population encompassed by different definitions are not well understood. This paper presents estimates of the U.S. adult population identified as disabled as the definition of health-related activity limitation becomes more inclusive. Data are derived from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative sample of the noninstitutionalized population of the U.S. conducted annually by the National Center for Health Statistics. Beginning in 1997, the NHIS included questions on different aspects of disability ranging from needing help with personal care activities such as bathing and eating (ADL limitations) to being "limited in any way" because of a chronic physical, mental or emotional problem. We construct a hierarchy of the activity limitation questions in the survey and describe the changing demographic and health characteristics of the disabled population that accompanies an expansion of the definition of disability. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and conditions causing the limitations are the main variables of interest. Particular attention is paid to the differences between the characteristics of the elderly and non-elderly disabled population.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the participant will be able
• to describe the range of disability definitions in the NHIS and
• to identify the population characteristics associated with each definition.

Keywords: Disability, Elderly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.