People with Disabilities Can Lead Long, Healthy Lives

If you are living with a disability, you need health care and health programs for the same reasons anyone else does—to stay well, active, and a part of the community.

Today, about 50 million Americans, or 1 in 5 people, are living with at least one disability, and most Americans will experience a disability some time during the course of their lives. Anyone can have a disability. Some people are born with a disability, get hurt or sick and have disability as a result, or develop a disability as they age. Some people may have a disability that lasts a short time while other people have a disability that lasts a lifetime. Different kinds of disabilities affect people in different ways. 

People with disabilities go to school and attend places of worship. They also vote, marry, have children, work, and play. Having a disability does not mean a person can't be healthy. Being healthy means the same thing for all of us—getting and staying well so we can lead full, active lives. That means having the tools and information to make healthy choices and knowing the risk factors for illness.

For people with disabilities, it also means knowing that problems related to a disability can be treated. These problems can include pain, depression, and a greater risk for certain illnesses. To be healthy, people with disabilities require health care that meets their needs as a whole person, not just as a person with a disability. People with or without disabilities can stay healthy by learning about and living healthy lifestyles.

Learn What You Can Do

• Improve the health and wellness of people with disabilities
• Make sure you are getting the best possible healthcare

Also, find out tips on leading a healthy life and for getting physically fit.

Improving the Health and Wellness of People with Disabilities

You can do a lot to improve the health and wellness of people with disabilities. For instance, you can:

• See the whole person, not just the disability.
• Speak directly with the person with a disability, rather than through a third party.
• Speak with adults as adults, and children as children.
• Ask the person with a disability if he or she needs any help. Do not assume help is needed.
• Be aware and patient of the extra time it might take a person with a disability to speak or act.
• Respect what a person with a disability can do. See the ability in disability.
• Understand that not having access to work, school, health care, or fun things to do can cause more problems than a disability itself.
• Be the person who makes a difference.

Make Sure You are Getting the Best Possible Healthcare

There are also many things you can do to make sure you are getting the best possible health care:

• Know your body, how you feel when you're well and when you're not.
• Talk openly with your health care professional about your concerns.
• Find out who the best health care professionals are in your area to meet your needs.
• Check to be sure you can get into your health care professional's office and that he or she has the staff and equipment you need.
• Think through your concerns before you visit your health care professional.
• Bring your health records with you.
• Take a friend with you, if you're concerned you might not remember all your questions and all the answers.
• Get it in writing. Write down, or have someone write down for you, what is said by the health care professional.
• Ask for help finding more information through materials like brochures, or at specific Web pages on the Internet.

Tips for Leading a Long and Healthy Life

It's never too late to form healthy habits. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Eat healthy foods in healthy portions.
• Be physically active every day.
• Don't get too much sun.
• Get regular checkups.
• Don't smoke or use illegal drugs.
• Use medicines wisely.
• If you drink alcohol, drink it in moderation.
• Stay in touch with family and friends.
• If you need help, talk with your healthcare professional.

Tips for Getting Physically Fit

To be healthy, all adults should be physically active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days each week; all children should be active for 60 minutes a day, at least 5 days each week.

• Set physical activity goals that you can reach.
• Track what you do.
• Reward yourself when you meet your goals.
• Seek support from your friends and family members. Ask them to join you in your activities.
• Don't give up. If you miss a day, don't quit. Just start again.

For more tips and information on disability and health, you can read The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities: What It Means to You. Also called the "People's Piece," it provides helpful ways to improve everyone's knowledge about the health and wellness of people with disabilities.