CDC report provides state-by-state data on the 53 million adults in USA with a disability

by Brianna Crandall — July 3, 2015—For facilities managers who are wondering about the prevalence of persons with disabilities in their area and perhaps how much this should be taken into account for future facilities planning, a new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that in the United States, one out of every five adults has a disability.

The researchers found that the highest percentages of people with disabilities are generally in Southern states, for example Alabama (31.5%), Mississippi (31.4%), and Tennessee (31.4%). The report did not determine why differences occur by state; however, states in the South tend to have some of the higher rates of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, which may also be associated with disability, points out CDC.

The most common functional disability type was a mobility limitation (defined as serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs) reported by one in eight adults, followed by disability in thinking and/or memory, independent living, vision, and self-care.

The report also revealed that non-Hispanic black (29%) and Hispanic (25.9%) adults were more likely to have a disability than were white non-Hispanic (20.6%) adults. Those with lower education levels, lower incomes, and those who are unemployed were also more likely to report a disability.

Through its state-based disability and health programs and national collaborations, CDC works to reduce health disparities faced by people with disabilities by facilitating their inclusion in public health surveys, public health programs, emergency preparedness and planning efforts, and accessible health-care services. CDC provides data, information and resources for public health practitioners, health-care providers, and people interested in the health and well-being of people with disabilities.

Although disability information has been collected in national surveys for many years, this was the first time that functional disability type was included in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The BRFSS is an annual, state-based telephone survey conducted by states in collaboration with CDC that gathers information on demographics, health status, health behaviors and disabilities.

More information about CDC’s work to support inclusive public health and health-care settings is available on the agency’s Disability and Health Web page, as is the full report, “Prevalence of Disability and Disability Type Among Adults—United States, 2013.”