Redefining disability and public health

Public health traditionally has viewed disability as negative health outcome alongside morbidity and mortality. Due to public health and medical advances, people are living longer with disabling conditions, thereby generating what has been called an “epidemic of survivors”—across the life span. This group is emerging as a public health population whose health is vulnerable, but who can live healthy lives—even with a disabling condition.

This presentation will address the health and well-being of people with disabilities by applying the essential public health functions of assessment, policy, and assurance. Definitions, measurement, surveillance, and prevalence will be addressed under assessment. Policy will focus on the interaction of the public health and disability communities in addressing health and well-being. Assurance will address issues of poverty and disability, along with need for clinical preventive services and developing partnerships among public health, clinical services, and the disability community. Finally, directions for developing the relationship between public health and disability will be provided, addressing public health curriculum, training, and education of both communities.