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336024
A Health Needs Assessment of People with Disabilities in Massachusetts (MA)


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Lauren Smith, MPH, Disability, Health and Employment Policy Unit, University of Massaschusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA
Monika Mitra, PhD, Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, Heller School of Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Bridget Landers, Health and Disability Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Rachel Tanenhaus, Health and Disability Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Georgia Simpson May, MSW, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Christine Clifford, MHP, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Charlestown, MA
Background

We conducted an assessment of the health needs of people with disabilities to provide comprehensive information on the unmet public health needs and priorities of the disability community in MA.

Methods

A multi-prong approach was used:

(1) Analysis of existing health data on adults in MA

(2) Online survey of the health needs of people with disabilities in MA

(3) Key informant interviews from the MA disability community

(4) Public forum and survey of communities of color

Results

We found significant differences in health between people with and without disabilities, including poor physical and mental health, chronic conditions, smoking status, and lifetime sexual violence. The top three problems for people with disabilities were identified as affordable housing, adequate dental care, and adequate mental health services. The key informant interviews found significant health concerns facing people with disabilities to include communication barriers, need for cultural competency, fragmentation of care, and lack of in-depth health data on people with disabilities. The assessment of communities of color is ongoing.

Conclusions

There are substantial health disparities between people with and without disabilities in MA.  Addressing the health needs of people with disabilities may require collaboration with other agencies. Further examination of barriers navigating the health care system and how to address them is needed. Further focused assessment of health needs of people with disabilities in communities of color is needed.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe the top health needs of people with disabilities in Massachusetts.

Keyword(s): Health Assessment, Health Disparities/Inequities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the Project Coordinator of multiple federally funded grants focusing on the health of people with disabilities and health disparities. My professional interests include health disparities and dissemination of scientific information.
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.

Back to: 2024.0: Poster #1 - Emerging Issues in Disability and Public Health