Assessment of Secondary Conditions and Environmental Barriers in Minorities with Disabilities

Secondary conditions are serious health problems for people with disabilities, and environmental contributors can significantly impact the risk for developing these conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between secondary conditions and environmental barriers, including problems accessing public transportation, poor quality and accessibility of outdoor pathways, and lack of accessible health care services. This study is part of a National Institutes of Health project to examine the impact of environmental barriers on health and function for people with disabilities (Grant #R01HD052891). Data was collected over 6-months for 121 people with mobility disabilities who lived, worked, or sought medical or health-related services within a 3-mile radius of a large Midwestern City. Results: 34.7% were > 60 years, 70.2% were male, 19% were Hispanic, and 72.7% were African-American. The mean number of secondary conditions reported was 9.7 (SD)=3.9 out of 19. The most commonly reported conditions were pain (84%), physical weakness (84%), and tiredness/fatigue (77%). Seventy-nine percent of the sample was obese (BMI Mean > 30). The mean number of reported environmental barriers was 2.1 (SD=1.3) out of 5. There was a statistically significant positive linear relationship between the number of secondary conditions and the number of environmental barriers reported (p<0.01). Participants reporting more environmental barriers were significantly more likely to report that their secondary condition had a greater impact on their participation and ability to perform activities in life. Over 75% of those with one or more secondary conditions reported limitations within the community.