Studies have shown that individuals with disabilities are at a higher risk for substance abuse compared to the general population. This could be due to a variety of factors such as limited access to proper healthcare, social isolation, and coping with the challenges associated with their disabilities.

Portland State University

- Pre-term births 
- Stillbirths 
- Malnourished
- Severe diarrhea 
- Serious illness
- HIV prevalence 
- Diabetes 
- Cardiovascular 
- Suicidal ideation
- Substances
- Reversible contraceptives 
- Access health services 
- Healthcare provider’s skills
- Healthcare expenditures
- Environmental risks

Health Gaps Experienced by People with Disability versus Normal People

Kuper, H, Heydt, P. (2019). The mission billion: access to health services for 1 billion people with disabilities. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 2019. https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/TheMissingBillion

Access To Health Services For 1 Billion People With Disabilities

Research indicates that individuals with disabilities have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing preterm births and having low birth weight babies, with the risk being up to two times greater than that of individuals without disabilities.

Pre-term Births

According to recent studies, individuals with disabilities have been found to have a 1.5 times higher prevalence of stillbirths compared to those without disabilities.

Stillbirths

Individuals with disabilities face a significantly higher risk of experiencing malnutrition, with studies indicating that they are up to three times more likely to be affected. Furthermore, the likelihood of individuals with disabilities experiencing malnutrition-related complications is approximately two times higher than those without disabilities.

Malnourished

People with disability are more likely to suffer from severe diarrhea (2 times).

Severe Diarrhea

People with disability are more likely to experience serious illness in the last year (up to 10 times).

Serious Illness

People with disability have higher HIV prevalence (2 times), and higher risk of infection.

HIV Prevalence

People with disability have a higher diabetes prevalence (up to 3 times).

Diabetes Prevalence 

Suicidal Ideation

People with disability are less likely to use reversible contraceptives and more likely to be sterilized.

Reversible Contraceptives

People with disability are less likely to access services (e.g. ANC services, outpatient care when needed, mammograms, assistive devices, etc.).

Access Health Services

People with disability are more likely to find healthcare provider’s skills and facilities inadequate (2 times).

Healthcare Provider’s Skills

50% of people with disability cannot afford healthcare and are 50% more likely to suffer catastrophic health expenditures.

Healthcare Expenditures

People with disability are 30% more likely to live in areas with environmental risks, such as toxins

Environmental Risks

Individuals with disabilities are at a higher risk of substance abuse compared to those without disabilities. This vulnerability may be due to various factors such as limited access to appropriate support services, social isolation, and the experience of chronic pain or discomfort. It's important to address these challenges and provide tailored support to prevent substance abuse among people with disabilities.

Substances

People with disability have a higher cardiovascular prevalence (2 times).

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