Disabilities or Limitations

(Data are for the U.S.)

 

All noninstitutionalized persons

• Number of persons with limitation(s) in usual activities due to chronic conditions: 36.0 million
• Percent of persons with limitation(s) in usual activities due to chronic conditions: 12%

Source: Summary Health Statistics for the U.S. Population: National Health Interview Survey, 2007, Table 3, Appendix III, Table VI

 

Noninstitutionalized adults

• Number of adults with hearing trouble: 33.3 million
• Percent of adults with hearing trouble: 15%
• Number of adults with vision trouble: 22.4 million
• Percent of adults with vision trouble: 10%
• Number of adults unable (or very difficult) to walk a quarter mile: 16.2 million
• Percent of adults unable (or very difficult) to walk a quarter mile: 7.3%
• Number of adults with any physical functioning difficulty: 33.0 million
• Percent of adults with any physical functioning difficulty:  15%

Source: Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2007, Tables 11, 12, 18, 19

 

Noninstitutionalized older adults

• Percent of adults 65-74 years who need help with personal care from other persons: 3.3%
• Percent of adults 75 years and over who need help with personal care from other persons: 11%

Source: Summary Health Statistics for the U.S. Population: National Health Interview Survey, 2007, Appendix III, Table VII

 

Noninstitutionalized children

• Number of children 3-17 years of age who have ever been told of having a learning disability: 4.6 million
• Percent of children 3-17 years of age who have ever been told of having a learning disability: 7.5%

Source: Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children, National Health Interview Survey, 2007, Appendix III, Table VI

 

More data

• Health, United States Trend tables with data on disability
• Disability and health in the United States, 2001-2005
• Health Data Interactive