Health Promotion for Persons with Disabilities: Moving beyond Rehabilitation

Abstract

Persons with disabilities are at significant risk for additional or secondary disabilities. Because of this increased risk, especially for persons suffering from the "disuse syndrome," it is important that a comprehensive health promotion component is included in the rehabilitation program for disabled individuals. Current concepts of disability are discussed as well as the distinctions between primary and secondary disabilities. Specific types and causes of disabilities are identified and described. Each type of secondary disability is assessed in terms of its "preventability." Examples and characteristics of quality programs for health promotion for disabled persons are presented. Recommendations for further research and study are discussed to include the need for determining effective components of successful programs and ways to encourage the field of rehabilitation to incorporate health promotion into the rehabilitation process for its disabled clients.

Disability models: Implications for arthritis exercise and physical activity interventions

“…One consequence of this traditional view is that disabling conditions have been viewed as static entities (18). This traditional, early view of disablement failed to recognize that disablement is more often a dynamic process that can fluctuate in breadth and severity across the life course.…”

Health Disparities among Adults with Developmental Disabilities, Adults with other Disabilities, and Adults Not Reporting Disability in North Carolina

“…3,4 These secondary conditions range from medical complications such as pressure sores and contractures, to psychosocial adjustment problems, to issues such as limited access to care. 5 In recognition of the need to improve the quality of life of individuals with mental retardation, Special Olympics, Inc., commissioned a report to examine the health needs of children and adults with mental retardation.…”

Disability and the curriculum in US graduate schools of public health

“…With notable exceptions, [1][2][3][4] public health schools and programs have offered little to such individuals. Worse, many early programs had eugenic themes repugnant to people with disabilities.…”

“…Conspicuous among the different types of flexibility has been the growth of atypical employment or underemployment, with reduced job security (e.g., home-based work, temporary work, informal work), 3 and the decline of standard full-time, permanent jobs. According to estimates of the International Labour Organization, 25% to 30% of the world's workers-between 750 million and 900 million people-are underemployed, that is, "either working substantially less than fulltime, but wanting to work longer, or earning less than a living wage.…”