title: Toward a conceptual model for national policy and practice considerations.
abstract: Chronic diseases and conditions are serious threats to the population's health. Chronic diseases represent seven of the top ten causes of mortality in the U.S. and are major economic drivers underlying burgeoning national health costs. People with disabilities experience dramatically higher rates of some chronic conditions, but only recently has this problem been recognized. We propose a set of contributing factors and a model to help better understand the relationship of disability with chronic disease. The paper summarizes current CDC initiatives to include disability status and considerations in public health surveys and programs, exemplifying a strategy to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream programs wherever possible; use cross-disability strategies for conditions unique to people with disabilities where necessary; and implement condition-specific approaches where essential. This initial model is intended to invite dialog on a conceptual framework for preventing chronic conditions and additional functional limitations among people with disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Development and Disability, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. Electronic address: gfk2@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Gloria L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Krahn
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Development and Disability, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Development and Disability, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D012107:Research Design; D014481:United States
keywords: Chronic conditions; Chronic disease; Disability; National