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Multiple Chronic Conditions Among People with Disabilities: What we know from the MEPS. Amanda Reichard, PhD. Research question: What are the rates of and predictors for co-occurring chronic diseases among those with disability? Data Source: Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS)
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Multiple Chronic Conditions Among People with Disabilities: What we know from the MEPS Amanda Reichard, PhD
Research question: What are the rates of and predictors for co-occurring chronic diseases among those with disability? • Data Source: Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) • Key Findings: • All disability groups (physical, cognitive, visual, hearing, multiple) had a greater rate of MCC than working age adults with no disability • People with multiple disabilities or physical disability alone were most likely to have a greater number of MCC • Regardless of the combination of chronic diseases, those with multiple disabilities had the highest rates of MCC, by a substantial margin • People with disabilities with MCC were more likely than those without disability to report fair/poor health status (vs. good/very good/excellent.
Key Implications for Policy • With each added health condition there is an increased risk for: • An individual’s negative health outcomes (preventable hospitalizations, duplicative tests, impaired function, adverse drug events, conflicting medical advice and death) • Threats to quality of life and independent living. • Greater need for health and social support costs • This has clear implications for policies that support and address the social determinants of health, especially those affecting people with physical disabilities • improved access to services, in both health care settings and communities at large • Within any population, a subset of people typically drives most of the expenditures • HHS Strategic Initiative offers goals that show promise for aligning more targeted interventions
Key Implications for Service Providers and Clinicians • All groups had very high rates of usual sources of care, indicating that provider education regarding MCC should play a role • Prevalence and distribution across disability subgroups • Understanding that functionality as reflected by disability influences health access and outcomes • Understanding barriers faced by disability subgroups • How to best meet the unique needs of each disability subgroup
Key Implications for Consumers/Advocates/Families • Consumer/Family education could also improve quality of life outcomes and cost reduction: • How to overcome access barriers • How to better manage chronic conditions to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations • Increased vulnerability based on functionality
Key Questions to Audience • What types of information and in what format do you find most useful in meeting your needs for change (policy, professional, personal, otherwise)? • Do you have any specific questions about multiple chronic conditions that were not addressed in this presentation?