Which public health
interventions hold promise for promoting health among people with
disabilities and preventing secondary conditions?
According to data reported in the Healthy People
2010 plan, compared with people without disabilities, people with
disabilities are generally less physically activity, and have higher rates
of obesity, depression, and other conditions that occur secondary or in
addition to the primary disability. Clearly, people with disabilities can
benefit from public health interventions to increase routine health and
wellness examinations and screenings, as well as other improvements in
lifestyle, including physical fitness.
The Disability and Health Team at Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) supports several efforts to develop,
test, and implement health promotion interventions across the lifespan of
people with disabilities. These efforts reach beyond short-term
rehabilitation interventions to address healthy lifestyles.
TOPIC
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GRANTEE |
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Information
Center:
Paralysis
|
2000-03, Christopher Reeve Foundation
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Information
Center:
Limb Loss
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1999-03, Amputee Coalition of
America
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Information
Center:
Physical Activity
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1999-03, University
of Illinois
at
Chicago
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Women’s Health Campaign
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2002-03, Prospects Associates
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Youth Leadership
Summit
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2002-03, U.S.
Department of Education
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Healthy Athletes
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2002-03, Special Olympics, International
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Special Smiles
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1995-03, Special Olympics, Georgia
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Cost of physical activity intervention |
2000-03, University of Montana |
Stress management for women w/disabilities |
2001-03, Baylor College of Medicine, TX |
Cancer awareness campaign |
2001-03, Duke University Med. Center, NC |
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Living
Well With a Disability Researchers at the
University of Montana’s Rural Institute on Disabilities, in conjunction
with collaborators at the University of Kansas and people with disabilities
throughout the country at various centers for independent living, recently
completed the development of the Living Well With a Disability curriculum.
This theory-based, 10-week, behavior-modification curriculum has
demonstrated promise in promoting the health of people with disabilities.
It includes setting goals, seeking information, solving problems through
strategies, developing healthy reactions to frustration and stress,
overcoming depression, engaging in and maintaining exercise habits, and
enhancing nutritional intake. Participants engage in
therapeutic interventions delivered
at centers for independent living
by trained peer educators.
To date, investigators
have demonstrated a 37% overall reduction in the prevalence of
reported secondary conditions among participants, and a 45% reduction in
the number of physician visits during the 6 months following the
intervention. In addition, the
cost-effectiveness analysis for this intervention indicated that the cost
of the intervention would be recouped within 2 months among participants
who frequently use medical services, and within 6 months among participants
who less frequently use medical services. Investigators
are currently examining other places to deliver the curriculum including,
the Internet, the YMCA, vocational rehabilitation facilities, storefront
physical fitness facilities featuring adaptive aerobic exercise machines,
and hospitals. This intervention is copyrighted and
more information
about the curriculum can be viewed at:
http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/rtcrural/health/NewDirectionsReRpt.htm
or
http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/rtcrural/health/SecondaryCondition.htm
Links - Health Promotion
Interventions for People With Disabilities.
Exercise for People with Disabilities: Getting Started on Your Fitness
Plan (2000). This collaborative publication provides a wealth of
information and tools for getting involved in fitness activities. It is
produced by the Research and Training Center on Independent Living,
University of Kansas. Copies may be obtained
by calling 785 864-4095 or visiting their website at
http://www.rtcil.org.
Promoting the
Health of People With Disabilities: Protocols for Preventive
Interventions (1996). This document was published by the
Center for Disability Policy and Research at the University of
Washington. For a copy of this brief manuscript, contact Dr. Donald
Patrick at 206/685-7252.
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