Multiple health disparities among minority adults with mobility limitations: An application of the ICF framework and codes

Purpose. To examine the interface between mobility limitations and minority status and its effect on multiple health and health-related domains among adults, using the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Methods. We combined 8 years of data from the 1997-2004 US National Health Interview Survey to investigate health disparities among minorities with mobility limitations as defined by the ICF. A total of 79,739 adults surveyed met these criteria. Results. Adults with both mobility limitations and minority status experienced the greatest disparities (p<0.001) in worsening health (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=8.5), depressive symptoms (AOR=17.2), diabetes (AOR=5.5), hypertension (AOR=3.4), stroke (AOR=7.2), visual impairment (AOR=4.6), difficulty with activities of daily living (AOR=42.7) and instrumental activities of daily living (AOR=27.7), use of special equipment (AOR=28.1), obesity (AOR=3.3), physical inactivity (AOR=2.7), and low workforce participation (AOR=0.35). Conclusions. For most outcome measures, findings supported our hypothesis that persons with both mobility limitations and minority status experience greater health disparities than do adults with minority status or mobility limitations alone.