Disability-related Disparities in Health Care and Health Status and Their Policy Implications

Abstract

This article analyzed disparities in health care and health status between persons with and without disabilities. In terms of accessibility to health care services, the disability-non-disability gap has narrowed to some extent, but the disparity in health check-up rates and unmet health care needs due to mobility restrictions has increased. The disparity in the incidence of preventable hospitalization has also increased. These gaps were wider and grew more rapidly among those 65 or older. The gaphealth status between persons with and without disabilities showed a narrowing trend, but remained much wider thanthe gap in health care.The results suggest that efforts should be made to further improve economic and physical accessibility to medical services for persons with disabilities. Also important are efforts to improve the socio-economic conditions of persons with disabilities.