The prevalence of disability from chronic conditions due to injury among adults ages 18-69 years: United States, 1994.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the causes and determine the prevalence of disability from chronic conditions due to injury among US civilian non-institutionalized persons aged 18-69 years.


METHODS
Data from the National Health Interview Survey Disability (NHIS-D) Supplement Phase I, United States 1994 were analysed and six disability categories were examined: activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), functional activities (FA), sight, hearing, and communication.


RESULTS
In 1994, 5.6 million persons aged 18-69 years reported a disability because of a chronic condition that was caused by injury. The prevalence of ADL disability due to chronic conditions caused by injury was 370 per 100000 population; IADL disability was 1256; FA disability was 2512; sight was 231; hearing was 339; and communication was 91 per 100000 population. Fifty per cent of ADL, IADL, and FA disabilities were attributed to motor vehicle crashes and falls, as were 31% of sight, 19% of hearing, and 23% of communication disabilities.


CONCLUSIONS
Though these estimates may be conservative, this study indicates that injury is a major cause of disability in addition to a leading cause of death in the US.
Guerrero
J L
JL
Division of Acute Care, Rehabilitation and Disability Prevention, CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control MS-F41, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA.
Sniezek
J E
JE
Sehgal
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*