241742 Advancing disability in the nation's health disparity agenda: Comparison of disability and racial/ethnic minority groups in socio-economic status and health outcomes

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 2:30 PM

Charles Drum, MPA, JD, PhD , Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Willi Horner-Johnson, PhD , Center on Community Accessibility, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Genia Taitano, MPH , John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
Background and Importance Health disparities have been defined as differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions among specific population groups (NIH, 1999). Traditionally, “specific population groups” have included racial and ethnic groups and excluded individuals with disabilities (PWD). As part of a proposed panel on the nation's health disparity agenda, this presentation will describe comparisons between PWDs and racial and ethnic (R/E) minorities (Black, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic) in socio-economic status and health outcomes. Methods National data from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n=404,509), a state-based, random digit dialed telephone survey conducted in all 50 states and territories, was analyzed using Stata 10.1. Results Fewer PWDs (43%) were employed compared to R/E populations (range: 50-60%). Thirty-three percent of PWDs earned $25,000 or less, exceeded only by Hispanics. Thirteen percent of PWDs had less than a high school education, exceeded only by Hispanics. All R/E minorities reported better health status than PWDs. Compared to R/E populations, PWDs were more likely to smoke, less likely to exercise, had higher rates of cardiovascular events, obesity, and diabetes, and were more likely to report cost as a medical care barrier. Conclusion As a group, PWDs experience many SES and health disparities that exceed those found in racial and ethnic minority populations. Given these results, national health disparity efforts should include disability as a specific population group.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
At session’s end, participants will be able to: 1. Define traditional approaches to health disparity populations 2. Describe the SES of PWDs versus racial/ethnic minority groups 3. Describe the health status and health outcomes of PWDs versus racial/ethnic minority groups

Keywords: Health Disparities, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an experienced scholar in disability and health research. During my career I have participated in disability projects in areas such as knowledge translation, accessibility, and employment. I have authored more than 60 articles, reports, and chapters on disability issues, seven training curricula, and I am the lead editor of the first text book on disability and public health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.