State and Metropolitan-Area Estimates of Disability in the United States, 2001

Abstract

Objectives. We sought to provide estimates of disability prevalence for states and metropolitan areas in the United States. Methods. We analyzed Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 2001 for all 50 states and the District of Columbia and 103 metropolitan areas. We performed stratified analyses by demographics for 20 metropolitan areas with the highest prevalence of disability. Results. State disability estimates ranged from 10.5% in Hawaii to 25.9% in Arizona. Metropolitan disability estimates ranged from 10.2% in Honolulu, Hawaii to 27.1% in Tucson, Ariz. Regional metropolitan medians for disability (range, 17.0–19.7%) were similar across the Northeast, Midwest, and South and were highest in the West. In the 20 metropolitan areas with the highest disability estimates, the prevalence of disability generally increased with age and was higher for women and those with a high-school education or less. Conclusions. State and metropolitan-area estimates may be used to guide state and local efforts to prevent, delay, or reduce disability and secondary conditions in persons with disabilities.