Summary
Because of the aging population and the spread of infectious diseases, disabled people pose a growing concern in the scientific community and among healthcare professionals, especially those belonging to public health. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an additional severe burden on the conditions of the disabled by exacerbating social disparities and limiting necessary resources. This PowerPoint presentation aims at examining the given vulnerable population by describing its demographics, background, effect on public health, specific risk factors, and prevention strategies. In addition, the presentation will discuss the role of nurses and the overall public health sector in the present context and give examples of three medical facilities
Problem Description
People with disabilities are persons who have one or several physical or mental conditions that significantly restrict their main life activities and participation in social life. The given category also comprises individuals considered to have a disability, that is, those with impairment without a considerable limitation of their life activities or treated by entities or people as disabled (“What does,” n.d.). Impairments can be diverse in severity and type and include physical, psychological, cognitive, sensory, developmental, intellectual, or the combination of these conditions. In social contexts, disabled individuals tend to encounter various socioeconomic barriers and disadvantages, including increased poverty, lacked access to healthcare, and lower levels of education and employment.
Current Population Demographics
Unfortunately, in recent decades, the number of disabled people increased in all countries. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about one a billion people, 15 percent of the global population, live with disabilities (World Health Organization, 2011). Herewith, the USA rate accounts for over 40 million people, that is, 12.6 percent: 12.4 percent of males and 12.7 percent of females (Erickson et al., 2020). Regarding age groups, the number of disabled persons aged between 21- 64 equals 10.4 percent, whereas those above 65 to 74 are 24.4. The prevalence of disability among Hispanic/Latino, Black, and White populations comprises 8.9, 13.3, and 10.4, respectively. Thus, as the latest data demonstrates, women, black, and people aged 65 and higher belong to the most vulnerable population groups.
Individuals with disabilities are regarded as “the world’s largest minority” with limited access to education, healthcare, and other socio-economic opportunities. This situation is primarily stipulated by the deficit of available services, such as transportation, social justice, and information and communications technology (ICT). Furthermore, disabled individuals, primarily children, experience insufficient social support, ignorance, stigma, and different form of violence. For example, children with disabilities four times more suffer from maltreatment than their non-disabled peers (“Background,” n.d.). The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became substantial advancement in combating discrimination. This act prohibits discrimination against the disabled irrespective of their background and characteristics and requires covered employers to give specific accommodations for such people.
Effect on Public Health
Disability as a serious public health issue requires medical providers, policymakers, and researchers to join efforts to develop respective policies and interventions promoting health and averting adverse results among the disabled. Regarding public health, the problem is complicated by different comorbidities accompanying disabled persons, which also necessitate specific treatment and cost. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 38% of adults with disabilities have obesity, 11.5% – with heart disease, and 16.3% – have diabetes. Nevertheless, in cooperation with the CDC and its partners, the government introduced various programs and policies favoring disabled people’s inclusivity in everyday activities and removing barriers to healthcare service, communication, and procedures to improve their wellbeing.
Cultural Background
As indicated above, people with disabilities are most prevalent in minor communities, primarily African Americans and Alaska Natives. Their cultural background is tightly intertwined with prolonged slavery, extensive racism, and sometimes, purposeful oppression. These circumstances eventually slackened their socio-cultural development and gradual inclusivity in the overall American population. Moreover, many minorities still experience consistent maltreatment and ignorance, including those with disabilities. For example, in the US, above 50% of disabled African Americans have been detained by law enforcement, which is double the risk of their white disabled counterparts (Thompson, 2021). Disabled individuals also frequently face restricted healthcare access, inferior quality medical service, and widespread physician biases.
Psychosocial concerns and norms
Many disabled people continue manifesting seclusion and apartness from the rest of society because of biased attitudes and widespread stigma. Consequently, adults with disabilities experience mental distress almost 5 times more often than healthy adults, which is associated with isolation, disconnect, and poor health behaviors. Furthermore, due to prevalent poverty and inadequate insurance provision, persons with disabilities cannot access medical services. For instance, one of three disabled adults does not have healthcare providers and unmet medical needs due to high costs (“Disability Impacts,” 2020). Timely intervention and psychological support from healthcare providers can prevent most cases of depression.
Economic Concerns
Despite noticeable improvements in the access of disabled individuals to different socio-economic sectors, the overall situation remains at a disadvantage. According to the American Community Survey, the employment rate for persons with disabilities accounts for 37.8 percent, while for those without disabilities – 80 percent; the employment gap comprises over 40 percent (Erickson et al., 2020). The lowest employment rate was for individuals with an “Independent Living” and “Self-Care Disability:” 18.1 and 16.2 percent, accordingly. The median income of people with disabilities was $40,500, which is about $9.000 less than those without disabilities. The poverty rate for this population is 26 percent, whereas the same rate for the health counterpart equals 10 percent. The proportion of people with disabilities obtaining a high school diploma and Bachelor’s degree amounts to 34 percent and 15.2, respectively, which presents a positive trend educational field.
Health Concerns
The life of disabled people is always closely connected with various health concerns and comorbidities. For example, 13.7 percent of individuals with disabilities have mobility problems; 10.8 percent – have cognition impairment; 6.8 percent – have difficulties in doing errands alone; 5.9 and 4.6 percent have deaf or vision concerns. Concerning comorbidities, obesity is the most prevalent among adults with a disability, equalling 38.2. Besides, 28.2 percent turn to smoke, 11.5 percent have heart disease, and 16.3 percent live with diabetes. It is worth noting that these indicators in healthy persons are 10 percent lower on average.
Risk Factors
The number of risk factors for people with disabilities is abundant, the non-modifiable of which typically include genetics, age, and gender. At the same time, modifiable risk factors comprise age-related diseases, functional limitations, impairments, inadequate coping strategies, unhealthy behaviors, diet/nutrition, alcohol use, illicit drug use, and environmental obstacles. For instance, in 2018, 73.6 percent of adults aged above 20 possess overweight and obese. It is a well-known fact that obese people frequently suffer from cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, and mental conditions. In the case of disabled people, these factors acquire a more extensive scope and bring worse aftermath, often resulting in premature death.
Prevention and Control
Most health promotion practices to prevent risk factors are tightly related to inclusivity programs and the support of healthcare professionals. Specifically, disabled people should primarily focus on three main healthy lifestyle elements, namely, staying active, well, and being a part of the community. With the assistance of nurses and doctors, individuals should adjust their nutrition, add more affordable physical activities, avoid smoking and other harmful habits, and reduce drinking alcoholic beverages. In addition, patients should use medicines wisely, observing physicians all recommendations about the safe dosage to prevent substance abuse. Finally, disabled individuals should attend various community events and celebrations and participate in available sports measures and games.
Role of Public Health Nurses
Public health nurses (PHN) play a critical role in providing healthcare for individuals, families, and society through delivering medical service, intervention, preventive care, and health education. In addition, they focus on identifying specific environmental and socio-economic conditions that promote the sustainable prosperity of a particular group of population. This allows for determining community strengths, health risks, needs, and problems and gathering available resources and information relevant to attain the set healthcare objectives. Moreover, PHNs actively participate in comprehensive research related to disabled people, which can reflect on their well-being ultimately. Finally, they are usually at the forefront of advancing disabled individuals’ rights and encouraging policymakers to develop policies that promote their inclusivity.
Public Health Service
The core functions of public health consist of assessment, policy development, and assurance. Assessment implies tracking, diagnosing, and investigating the health and environmental conditions of a specific community (in this case: disabled people) and addressing their environment-related problems (“Resources Organized,” 2019). Policy development involves educating and informing individuals with disabilities about their risks, mobilizing community actions and partnerships, and developing promotion policies and plans supporting individual and public efforts. Finally, assurance assumes advancing for laws and regulations that ensure safety, environmental health, and the provision of environmental health services. This function also includes assessing the accessibility, quality, and effectiveness of health services for people with disabilities and seeking novel ideas and solutions to health problems.
Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD)
The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) is responsible for coordinating​ and enhancing the delivery of various services to disabled people with disabilities. MDOD provides guidance and advocacy to state-related entities and agencies to ensure delivering services in the most integrated way and developing policies that consider the needs of those with disabilities. Furthermore, MDOD provides specific programs concerning employment, accessible housing, community living, transportation, education, technical assistance, and business tax incentives, among others (“Maryland Department,” n.d.). Finally, the organization provides employment resources, including Internships, mentoring, tax incentives, accommodations, disability law, recruitment websites, and informative content.
The League for People with Disabilities
The League for People with Disabilities is an organization committed to helping individuals increase their self-sufficiency, acquire independence, and improve their quality of life. The League’s core values include accountability, independence, mutual respect, participant focus, and quality (“Mission,” n.d.). The agency targets advocating for the rights of people with developmental, physical, and cognitive disabilities. Its programs comprise workforce development, camping and recreation, wellness center, day habilitation, youth autism services, league industries, and others.
Disability Support Services
Disability Support Services (DSS) is an organization assisting disabled persons in the Social Security disability process by providing personalized consultation. Its team consists of experienced attorneys, experts, and disability representatives specializing in Social Security Disability law, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (“About,” n.d.). SSDI implies payment of benefits for individuals with a disability who worked for over five years, while SSI is a funded program that supports disabled people with little or no income and helps them receive Medicaid coverage. Disabled people can also appeal to additional governmental and state resources such as National Organization on Disability or Resource Finder at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
References
About Disability Support Services. (n.d.). Disability Support Services. Web.
Background. (n.d.). United Nations. 2021, Web.
Disability impacts all of us. (2020). CDC. Web.
Erickson, W., Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2020). 2018 Disability Status Report: United States. Cornell University Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability(YTI).
Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD). (n.d.). MD Transitioning Youth with Disabilities. Web.
Mission and core values. (n.d.). The League for People with Disabilities. Web.
Resources are organized by essential services. (2019). CDC. Web.
The mental health of people with disabilities. (2020). CDC. Web.