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Disability and Functioning (Noninstitutionalized Adults 18 Years and Over)

Data are for the U.S.

Selected sensory problems

  • Number of adults with hearing trouble: 37.2 million
  • Percent of adults with hearing trouble: 15.3%
  • Number of adults with vision trouble: 22.9 million
  • Percent of adults with vision trouble: 9.4%

Source: Summary Health Statistics Tables for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2015, Table A-6 [PDF – 151 KB]

Difficulties in physical functioning

  • Number of adults unable (or very difficult) to walk a quarter mile: 18.2 million
  • Percent of adults unable (or very difficult) to walk a quarter mile: 7.5%
  • Number of adults with any physical functioning difficulty: 39.6 million
  • Percent of adults with any physical functioning difficulty: 16.3%

Source: Summary Health Statistics Tables for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2015, Table A-10 [PDF – 272 KB]

Basic actions difficulties or complex activity limitations

  • Number of adults aged 18 and over with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 77.0 million (2015)
  • Percent of adults aged 18 and over with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 32.2% (2015)
  • Number of adults aged 65 and older with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 26.5 million (2015)
  • Percent of adults aged 65 and older with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation: 59.8% (2015)

Source: Health, United States, 2016, table 42 [PDF – 9.8 MB]

Need help with personal care

  • Percent of adults 65-74 years who need help with personal care from other persons: 3.4%
  • Percent of adults 75 years and over who need help with personal care from other persons: 12.0%

Source: Summary Health Statistics Tables for the U.S. Population: National Health Interview Survey, 2015, Table P-3c [PDF – 104 KB]

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