WASHINGTON – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its annual update to the Disability and Health Data System (DHDS), offering accessible state-level health data concerning adults with disabilities. The latest data, derived from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), indicates that over 70 million adults in the United States, or more than 1 in 4, reported having a disability in 2022.

The 2022 BRFSS marks the first instance of collecting data on experiences with Long COVID, defined as symptoms persisting for at least three months post-COVID infection, to better understand the correlation between disabilities and Long COVID. The data reveals that Long COVID symptoms were more prevalent among individuals with disabilities (10.8%) compared to those without disabilities (6.6%).

While Long COVID can affect anyone infected with SARS-CoV-2, data suggests that certain groups, including people with disabilities, face a higher risk. According to the CDC,this increased risk may stem from underlying medical conditions,living in congregate settings,or systemic health and social inequities.

The CDC is collaborating with clinicians, public health partners, and federal agencies to gain deeper insights into the impacts of Long COVID and to better address the needs of people with disabilities. The agency continues to advocate for vaccines as the most effective protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Key Findings from the DHDS

“disability is not a health outcome; it is indeed part of the way people experience life, such as hearing, seeing, moving, processing information, and caring for oneself.”

• Older adults showed a higher disability prevalence (43.9% of people aged 65 years and older) compared to younger age groups.
• Among racial and ethnic groups, American Indian or Alaska native and Other/Multirace individuals reported the highest disability prevalence (38.7% each).
• The CDC provides state profile fact sheets offering an overview of disability in each state, including percentages and characteristics of adults with and without disabilities. State profiles are available on the CDC website.

These findings highlight the significant presence of people with disabilities within every community. As the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act approaches on July 26, it is indeed crucial to recognize that “disability is not a health outcome; it is part of the way people experience life, such as hearing, seeing, moving, processing information, and caring for oneself.”

The CDC is committed to improving disability representation in public health data to better address their needs during emergencies. This includes collaborating with partners to enhance disability inclusion in emergency department surveillance and improve the accuracy of information reported by local health agencies. These efforts aim to strengthen national, state, and local response capabilities for monitoring the health and well-being of people with disabilities during public health emergencies.