The prevalence of disability from chronic conditions due to injury among adults ages 18-69 years: United States, 1994.

Abstract

To describe the causes and determine the prevalence of disability from chronic conditions due to injury among US civilian non-institutionalized persons aged 18-69 years. Data from the National Health Interview Survey Disability (NHIS-D) Supplement Phase I, United States 1994 were analysed and six disability categories were examined: activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), functional activities (FA), sight, hearing, and communication. In 1994, 5.6 million persons aged 18-69 years reported a disability because of a chronic condition that was caused by injury. The prevalence of ADL disability due to chronic conditions caused by injury was 370 per 100000 population; IADL disability was 1256; FA disability was 2512; sight was 231; hearing was 339; and communication was 91 per 100000 population. Fifty per cent of ADL, IADL, and FA disabilities were attributed to motor vehicle crashes and falls, as were 31% of sight, 19% of hearing, and 23% of communication disabilities. Though these estimates may be conservative, this study indicates that injury is a major cause of disability in addition to a leading cause of death in the US.