Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104298

Pei-Shu Ho, PhD¹, Thilo Kroll, PhD¹, Matthew Kehn, BA¹, and Kay Pearson, BA². (1) Center for Health & Disability Research, National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010, (202) 877-1787, pei-shu.ho@medstar.net, (2) ILH Housing & Support Services for People with Physical Disabilities, 1301 Belmont Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009

Objective: To understand the health care experiences of low-income adults with physical disabilities living in a homeless shelter, a nursing home, or in inaccessible homes.

Methods: We held three focus groups with participants residing in a homeless shelter, nursing home, and inaccessible homes. Working-age adults (18-64 years old) with a physical disability, using assistive equipment, and receiving DC Medicaid were eligible to participate. Focus groups were co-conducted by an experienced moderator and a disability housing specialist. Participants discussed their living environment, health, experiences with getting needed care, and characteristics of ideal living environments. Focus groups lasted approximately two hours. Discussions were audio-taped and transcribed by a professional transcriber. Content analysis was performed independently by two analysts using constant comparative coding.

Results: 28 participants attended the focus groups. Most participants were male (79%) and African American (93%). Participants identified environmental and health care related factors that affected their health and access to care. Environmental factors included poor housing accessibility, sanitation, and safety, and the lack of privacy and opportunities for independent living. Health care related factors included poor care quality, inadequate care coordination, and the lack of transportation, assistive equipment, and preventive care services.

Conclusions: Findings illustrate the complex relationships among housing conditions, access to needed care, and health among low-income adults with physical disabilities. We recommend that comprehensive epidemiological assessments guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) be established to build the foundation for targeted and integrated health care and housing service delivery models.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand housing and health care experiences among low-income working-age adults living in homeless shelters, nursing homes, and inaccessible homes
• To describe how poor housing conditions and barriers to care affect the health and wellbeing among low-income working-age adults with physical disabilities living in homeless shelters, nursing homes, or inaccessible homes.

Keywords: Housing, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation