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Disability and Functioning (Noninstitutionalized Adults 18 Years and Over)

Data are for the U.S.

Selected sensory problems

  • Number of adults with hearing trouble: 40.3 million
  • Percent of adults with hearing trouble: 16.8%
  • Number of adults with vision trouble: 21.7 million
  • Percent of adults with vision trouble: 9.1%

Source: Summary Health Statistics Tables for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2014, Table A-6 [PDF - 159 KB]

Difficulties in physical functioning

  • Number of adults unable (or very difficult) to walk a quarter mile: 17.1 million
  • Percent of adults unable (or very difficult) to walk a quarter mile: 7.1%
  • Number of adults with any physical functioning difficulty: 36.2 million
  • Percent of adults with any physical functioning difficulty: 15.1%

Source: Summary Health Statistics Tables for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2014, Table A-10 [PDF - 501 KB]

Basic actions difficulties or complex activity limitations

  • Number of adults aged 18 and over with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 74.8 million (2014)
  • Percent of adults aged 18 and over with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 32.4% (2014)
  • Number of adults aged 65 and older with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 26.1 million (2014)
  • Percent of adults aged 65 and older with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 60.5% (2014)

Source: Health, United States, 2015, table 42 [PDF - 9.8 MB]

Need help with personal care

  • Percent of adults 65-74 years who need help with personal care from other persons: 3.5%
  • Percent of adults 75 years and over who need help with personal care from other persons: 10.6%

Source: Summary Health Statistics Tables for the U.S. Population: National Health Interview Survey, 2014, Table P-3c [PDF - 130 KB]

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