This report is the first in a series of four reports prepared for HHS to gather information on persons with disabilities. This report provides a statistical profile of persons with disabilities based primarily on data from the 1984 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). SIPP provided a rich source of information on disability, health status and utilization, heath insurance coverage, and sociodemographic and economic characteristics (i.e., work, participation in federal programs, income, assests). The prevalence of disability in the population is described in this report using three alternative definitions (functioning, ability to work, and receipt of disability program benefits). Different levels of functional disability are also examined. The report contains statistics on the demographic and economic characteristics of persons with disabilities and on their health status, utilization, and health insurance coverage. There are separate sections on children, working age adults, and the elderly. In addition, a description of persons in institutions (not covered in SIPP) is also included. Available only from ASPE, (202) 690-6445.
