## CDC Report Highlights High Rates of Disability and Disproportionate Impact of Long COVID
New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that over 70 million adults in the United States – more than one in four – reported living with a disability in 2022. The findings, drawn from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and accessible through the Disability and Health Data System (DHDS), paint a comprehensive picture of disability prevalence across the nation.
Notably, the 2022 BRFSS marked the first time data was collected on experiences with Long COVID, defined as symptoms persisting for three months or longer after an initial COVID-19 infection. This data indicates a concerning disparity: 10.8% of adults *with* disabilities reported experiencing Long COVID symptoms, compared to 6.6% of those *without* disabilities.
The CDC acknowledges that while anyone can develop Long COVID following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, certain populations are at increased risk. Individuals with disabilities may face heightened vulnerability due to pre-existing medical conditions, living arrangements (such as congregate settings), and systemic inequities impacting their health and access to care. Further details on this connection can be found here.
The CDC is actively working with partners across public health and federal agencies to deepen understanding of Long COVID’s impacts and to specifically address the needs of people with disabilities. Continued vaccination remains a key preventative measure, as the CDC recommends vaccines as the best defense against severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Further analysis of the DHDS data reveals key demographic trends:
* Disability prevalence increases with age, affecting 43.9% of adults aged 65 and older.
* American Indian or Alaska Native individuals and those identifying as Other/Multirace exhibited the highest disability prevalence rates, both at 38.7%.
* state-specific data is available through DHDS state profile fact sheets, offering detailed breakdowns of disability statistics within each state.
The CDC emphasizes that disability is a common experience, impacting a significant portion of the population. As the nation approaches the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th, the agency underscores that disability is a natural part of human experience, influencing *how* people live rather than being a negative health outcome in itself.looking forward, the CDC is committed to improving the inclusion of disability data in public health surveillance, especially during emergencies. Current efforts focus on enhancing disability representation in emergency department data and improving the accuracy of information reported by local health agencies, ultimately strengthening the nation’s ability to protect the health and well-being of people with disabilities during public health crises. You can learn more about Long COVID impacts here.
