Prevalence of secondary conditions among people with disabilities

We analyzed data from 2075 respondents to the disability supplement of the 2001 Washington State Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey to describe population prevalence of secondary conditions among adults with disabilities. Eighty-seven percent of respondents with disabilities and 49% without disabilities reported at least 1 secondary condition. Adjusted odds ratios for disability for 14 of 16 conditions were positive and significant. The association of disability with substantial disparities in common conditions shows a need for increased access to general and targeted prevention interventions to improve health.