Disability and Functioning (Adults)

(Data are for the U.S.)

 

Noninstitutionalized adults 18 years and older

• Number of adults with hearing trouble: 37.1 million
• Percent of adults with hearing trouble: 16.0%
• Number of adults with vision trouble: 21.2 million
• Percent of adults with vision trouble: 9.2%
• Number of adults unable (or very difficult) to walk a quarter mile: 17.6 million
• Percent of adults unable (or very difficult) to walk a quarter mile: 7.6%
• Number of adults with any physical functioning difficulty: 37.4 million
• Percent of adults with any physical functioning difficulty:  16.2%

Source: Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2011, tables 11, 12, 18, 19 [PDF - 1.3 MB]

• Number of adults with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 73.7 million (2010)
• Percent of adults with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 32.8% (2010)

Source: Health, United States, 2011, table 54 [PDF - 9.8 MB]

 

Noninstitutionalized adults 65 years and older

• Percent of adults 65-74 years who need help with personal care from other persons: 3.6%
• Percent of adults 75 years and over who need help with personal care from other persons: 11.9%

Source: Summary Health Statistics for the U.S. Population: National Health Interview Survey, 2011, table 5 [PDF - 1 MB]

• Number of adults 65 years and older with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 23.0 million (2010)
• Percent of adults 65 years and older with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 61.7% (2010)

Source: Health, United States, 2011, table 54 [PDF - 9.8 MB]

 

More data

• Aging Differently: Physical Limitations Among Adults Aged 50 years and Over: United States, 2001-2007 [PDF - 985 KB]
• Disability and health in the United States, 2001-2005 [PDF - 830 KB]
• Health Data Interactive
• Health, United States trend tables with data on disability
• Prevalence of Complex Activity Limitations Among Racial/Ethnic Groups and Hispanic Subgroups of Adults: United States, 2003-2009 [PDF - 713 KB]
• Racial differences in functioning among elderly nursing home residents, 2004 [PDF - 940 KB]