Alternative Definitions of Disability: Implications of Increasing Inclusiveness

Ellen A. Kramarow, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), CDC
Elsie Pamuk, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), CDC

Estimates of the disabled U.S. population vary greatly depending on the criteria used to define disability. In addition, the characteristics of the disabled population encompassed by different definitions are not well understood. This paper presents estimates of the U.S. adult population identified as disabled as the definition of health-related activity limitation becomes more inclusive. Data are derived from the National Health Interview Survey. We describe the changing demographic and health characteristics of the disabled population that accompanies an expansion of the definition of disability from being limited in ADLs to being "limited in any way" because of a chronic physical, mental or emotional problem. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and conditions causing the limitations are the main variables of interest.