title: Age group differences in healthcare access for people with disabilities: are young adults at increased risk?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to quantify and describe the population of young adults with disability in Florida and to assess correlates of healthcare access in this population in contrast with adults belonging to middle and older age groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study analyzed data of 36,704 respondents obtained from the 2007 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. A test for homogeneity of the risk difference across the three age groups was conducted using inverse weighting to adjust for confounding and selection bias.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adjusted model for risk difference of not being able to see a doctor in the past 12 months because of cost was significantly heterogeneous across age groups (χ(2)(2df)F value = 12.40, p < .01). The risk difference between population of young adults with disability and their age peers decreased significantly across the groups. The risk difference was 15.5% for those aged 18-29, 11.9% for those aged 30-64, and 2.1% for those aged ≥65.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article quantifies the differences in risk and access to health care between young adults with and without disability, using population-based data. It provides indirect evidence of the widely held belief that there is a problem in healthcare transition in the United States warranting continued investigation and intervention.
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0231, USA. mbcann01@phhp.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cannell
authors.forename: Babette A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Brumback
authors.forename: Erin D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Bouldin
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Phyllis J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sloyer
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Reiss
authors.forename: Elena M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Andresen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060305:Transition to Adult Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult