Online Program

Oral

"Disability" is an emerging dimension within public health, yet for many in public health, there is relatively little understanding of its meaning or importance. One in six adults experiences a disability in the U.S., with similar estimates globally. It is estimated that $400 billion are spent annually in the U.S.A. on disability related health care costs, 70% of which are public expenditures. Despite these expenditures, this is a group that has poorer health and higher rates of unmet health care, more unhealthy behaviors and less access to health promotion programs. Public health has a critical role to play in preventing or ameliorating this poor health for this target population. A panel of experts will address five key areas regarding disability in public health: Who are people with disability and how is disability defined?; Disability Experiences around the Globe; Disability and Race/Ethnicity; Veterans and Disabilities; and The Future for Disability and Public Health. Each panelist will present scientific data, a summary of the key issues, and what public health can do address the issues in these areas.

Session Objectives: a) Explain what disability is and who lives with disabilities in the USA and globally b) Demonstrate health equity issues associated with living with disability as a veteran, person of color, or other subsets of the general population having unique person-environmental challenges c) Formulate approaches that can be used by participants to include disabilities in planning for science, policy and practices to promote full participation of people with disabilities.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)