Persons with disabilities are at higher risk of health disparities and have greater unmet healthcare needs. This could be due to social determinants such as poverty and lack of formal social support.
It is crucial to implement health and disability services that are explicit and inclusive for persons with disabilities. This includes training for all health and public health professionals in disability awareness.
Preventive care
Preventive care is the health care that helps people avoid disease or find it early when it is easier to treat. It includes screening tests, routine vaccinations, and advice on healthy lifestyles. It can also help prevent the progression of chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Getting recommended clinical preventive services reduces the risk of diseases, disabilities and death -- but millions of people don't get those services. Education is key to increasing the number of people who receive those services. Law and policy changes can also help.
Most insurance plans cover routine vaccines and evidence-based preventive services, such as mammograms and cervical cancer screening. But research has found that barriers and facilitators to receipt of clinical preventive services differ by disability type, highlighting the need for more targeted interventions. These can include customer service changes, training for staff about disability awareness and the responsibilities of people who use assistive technology (AT), and environmental modifications to accommodate accessibility.
Behavioral health
Behavioral health is an essential aspect of the prevention of disability, and many people with disabilities need help accessing treatment for mental illness or addictions. Behavioral health is also important in the management of chronic diseases that can lead to disability, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Often, the terms "mental health" and "behavioral health" are used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. While mental health deals with a person's psychological state, behavioral health encompasses all aspects of a person's well-being, including their habits and lifestyle.
Behavioral health includes a variety of services, such as psychotherapy and substance abuse treatment. These services can be provided by a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or licensed professional counselor. These professionals can provide support for a range of issues, from relationship problems to depression and anxiety. They can also offer guidance for dealing with a medical condition or navigating the social security system. They can also help people with disabilities find employment and housing resources.
Rehabilitative care
Rehabilitation care helps people regain function, reduce disability and minimize complications from health conditions. It can be used to prevent disability in patients who are already living with a health condition that deteriorates with age, and it can also help people avoid costly hospital admissions and re-admissions.
Rehabilitation services can include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. They can be provided in a clinic, at home or in a residential care facility. The goal of these services is to improve a person's ability to move, think and communicate. They can be administered by a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, called a physiatrist.
Integrating rehabilitation in health systems can lead to improved outcomes from medical and surgical interventions. It can mitigate the costs of ongoing complications, and it can also help people resume their family, work, and community roles. In addition, it can have social and economic benefits that extend well beyond the health system (WHO 2017). However, a limited number of studies have measured the full impact of rehabilitation on functioning and quality of life.
Social services
Social services help individuals and families stay healthy. They offer financial assistance, emotional support, and healthcare guidance. They also bring people together by organizing support groups and health education programs. These efforts help reduce healthcare disparities and foster strong community bonds.
These benefits are available to anyone with a disability, including those who need help with daily tasks or navigating the health system. However, it's important to know that not all social workers specialize in disability services. Those who do are called social workers for disabilities.
Generally, these professionals work in hospitals, local governments and authorities, schools, and clinics. They may also work for nonprofit organizations or private practice. They must have excellent communication skills and empathy. They should be able to put themselves in their clients' shoes, understand their frustrations and concerns, and offer guidance and advice. They can also be helpful in reducing stigma around physical disabilities. Moreover, they can provide a safe space for peers with physical disabilities to connect and discuss common experiences.
