DISABILITY AMONG NATIVE AMERICANS

Abstract

Now that the threat of infectious disease is under control among the Native American population, the prevalence of chronic disease and occupational illness has become the focus of concern, particularly in relation to associated mortality and morbidity. This analysis addresses the issue of disability as caused by chronic illness, accidents and occupational illness among native populations and provides prevalence estimates of disability as measured by functional and activity limitations. The analysis also provides a description of the socioeconomic situation among Native Americans with various impairments and limitations. Compared to whites, blacks and persons of other races, Native Americans report the highest levels of impairment and functional and activity limitations. Overall, 32% report some type of limitation. As for those of all other races, the rates of prevalence increase with age and are associated with low levels of education and income. However, the rates among the youngest age group of Native Americans are greater whether examining physical limitations or task/activity limitations. Logistic regression analysis indicates that when controlling for all the characteristics commonly associated with limitations and impairment, race continues to be a predictor of both physical and task/activity limitations, with Native Americans 29% more likely to report some form of limitation.

Citation

Altman, B.M. and Rasch, E.K. (2003), "DISABILITY AMONG NATIVE AMERICANS", Altman, B.M., Barnartt, S.N., Hendershot, G.E. and Larson, S.A. (Ed.) Using Survey Data to Study Disability: Results from the National Health Survey on Disability (Research in Social Science and Disability, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 299-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3547(03)03015-X