Abstract
This retrospective, cross-sectional, multiple cohort study of women with disabilities addresses two health-related areas in a nationally representative sample of women living in the community. Using data from the 1997-1998 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), health risk behaviors and chronic conditions were examined for women with mild, moderate, and severe functional limitations, and their responses were compared to those of women who reported no limitations. Women with severe limitations evidenced the highest risk for heavy cigarette smoking. They were also more likely to meet the Body Mass Index criterion for obesity. Adverse health behaviors were strongly associated with the five potentially disabling chronic conditions that were studied.
CURRENTLY, AN ESTIMATED 30 million women with disabilities reside in the United States. 1 Living a health enhancing lifestyle is important for every woman, but especially for women with disabilities who have been characterized as having a "thinner margin of health." 2-3 Several studies addressing health care issues for women with disabilities have focused on access to health care services and specific barriers faced by women with disabilities. 4-10 Other researchers have examined participation in preventable health risk behaviors. 11-19 Fewer studies have investigated the relationship between participation in adverse behaviors, such as not maintaining weight control, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol use, and potentially disabling chronic conditions among a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling women. Because participation in health risk behaviors is amenable to change with effective intervention, 18 and because participation in health risk behaviors has been linked to a number of chronic conditions, 11,15,18,20,21 it is important to understand and address these health-related areas among women with disabilities. Once these relationships are identified, women with disabilities will be able to collaborate with community health professionals on disability-sensitive interventions to improve their health outcomes and maximize their independence and participation in community life.