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

Abstract #61440

Nancy Wilber, EdD¹, Monika Mitra, PhD¹, Phyllis Brawarsky, MPH², and Debbie Klein Walker, EdD³. (1) Bureau of Family and Community Health, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington St, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, 617-624-5532, nancy.wilber@state.ma.us, (2) Bureau of Health Statistics, Research and Evaluation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, 6th floor, Boston, MA 02108, (3) Associate Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02108-4619

The purpose of this study was to examine the health risk and health status of BRFSS respondents (1998-2001) by disability and race/ethnicity. Respondents reporting use of special equipment or limitations from impairments or health problems for at least one year were classified as having disabilities. Nineteen percent of BRFSS respondents reported having a disability. There were significant differences in age among the race/ethnic groups with and without disabilities. To control for the effects of age, analyses were age-standardized to US Census 2000 population. Hispanics reported the highest percentage of people with disabilities (23%) compared to 20% for Black, Non-Hispanics, and 19% for Whites. There were significant differences in the following variables relating to health risks and access by race/ethnicity and disability: obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, not having enough emotional and social support, physical activity, and inadequate insurance. Among measures of health status, there were significant differences by race/ethnicity in self-reported health, number of days could not do activities due to mental health, and number of days sad, blue, depressed. While there were differences in some measures of poor health by race/ethnicity, there was a strong association between all measures of poor health and disability across all ethnic groups. Additional analyses will control for socio-economic differences between groups. Data suggests that racial/ethnic differences among people with disabilities should be taken into account in public health programs and research relating to people with disabilities.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be informed about the differences in health risks and health status of adults with disabilities by race/ethnicity. They will also understand the importance of examining race/ethnic differences in disability research.

Keywords: Minority Research, Health Disparities

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.