title: Redefining the role of public health in disability.
abstract: The stated mission of current public health activities is to prevent mortality, morbidity, and disability. Though this mission is a noble challenge, attention is now being drawn to that group of the public who are not prevented from living with a disability. This chapter seeks to redefine the functions of public health in the field of disability. It describes the changing demographics of disability and provides a framework for addressing the complex issues associated with defining disability. Finally, we outline a strategy for stronger and clearer public health presence to improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. dcl5@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lollar
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Crews
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003710:Demography; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040361:Healthy People Programs; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D015980:Public Health Practice; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology