July 4, 2025
Researchers: Scott Landes, Bonnielin Swenor, Jean Hall, Anjali Forber-Pratt, Nastassia Vaitsiakhovich, Kate Caldwell, Mihir Kakara, Deborah Lefkowitz, Andrew Myers, Susan Popkin, Nicholas Reed, Emily Rothman, and Maggie Salinger
University Affiliate: Syracuse University
Full Publication: Scott D Landes, Bonnielin K Swenor, Jean P Hall, Anjali J Forber-Pratt, Nastassia Vaitsiakhovich, Kate Caldwell, Mihir Kakara, Deborah Lefkowitz, Andrew Myers, Susan J Popkin, Nicholas S Reed, Emily F Rothman, Maggie Salinger, The disability mismatch: the case for a comprehensive disability status measure, Health Affairs Scholar, Volume 3, Issue 7, July 2025, qxaf137, https://doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxaf137
Abstract
Introduction: Current disability questions used in many US federal surveys exclusively measure disability as having 1 or more of 6 functional limitations. This strategy is at odds with who is disabled as some disabled people do not experience these limitations.
Methods: Using data from a nationally representative survey of 2169 adults, this study describes the potential of a comprehensive disability status question to improve the measurement of disability.
Results: Results from this study demonstrate that a comprehensive disability status question successfully identifies disabled people who both do, and do not, experience limitations.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that a single comprehensive disability status question may provide a viable and more inclusive alternative to identifying the disabled population in US federal surveys.
Key points
- Current disability measures used in many US federal surveys exclude many disabled people.
- Use of a comprehensive disability status question may
provide a viable and more inclusive alternative to identifying the disabled population in US federal surveys.