Disability and Health Program

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity have a  significant impact on persons with disabilities. According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS, 2020), 30% of adults in Florida have a disability and 40% of those individuals live with at least one chronic disease; 18% have diabetes and 41% report having high cholesterol. To reduce this disability burden and improve  access to care for persons with disabilities, the Disability and Health Program (DHP) works to improve the health of persons with mobility limitations and intellectual or developmental disabilities through evidence-based public health interventions. 

For more information on the current state of disablity in Florida, please check out the 2021 Florida Disability Data Report. 

Goals of the Disability and Health Program in Florida

Since 2018, the Florida Department of Health DHP focused on a more inclusive approach to its programs and services. As a result, the DHP is continuing its efforts to: Improve access to opportunities for adapted physical activity for students with disabilities in mainstream and exceptional student education schools

1. Partner with the University of Florida to improve access to adapted physical activity for students with disabilities in mainstream and exceptional student education schools. 
2. Reduce the prevalence of diabetes among persons with disabilities by implementing an adapted Diabetes Prevention Program through program sites statewide.
3. Increase the accessibility, availability, and use of health promotion resources, tools, and inclusion strategies among persons with disabilities.
4. Improve access to care and treatment of persons with disabilities by providing disability competency training to healthcare professionals and providers.
5. Encourage personal preparedness behaviors among persons with disabilities and access and functional needs.
6. Collaborate with partner agencies to improve the inclusion of pesons with disabilities and access and functional needs in emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

Resources

People with disabilities need the same health and wellness programs and services as the general population to stay well, active and be a part of the community. Ensuring the health of persons wtih disabilities requires health services that meet their needs as a whole person, not just as a person living with a disability. 

Tips for Improving Overall Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for physical activity include: 

• Children and adolescents, ages 6 to 17 years--60 minutes or more of daily physical activity.
• Adults, ages 18 to 64 years--at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week and musle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days each week. 
• Older adults, ages 65 and older--same as for 18 to 64-year-old adults with no limiting health conditions. 

There are many ways for children and adults to be active. Look for activities you would enjoy and about ways to be more active. Maybe you would enjoy...

• Spending time indoors and outdoors daily for a walk, roll, or run
• Learning new adapted physical activities that you may enjoy
• Joining friends in fitness activities like going for walks and rides together at an accessible park or greenspace. 
• Keeping a log of any physical activities you do each day
• Participating in activities offered through local parks and recreation departments. 

In addition to becoming more active:

• Keep a log of your weight each week to share with your health care provider.
• Keep a daily log of what you eat and how much. You may see ways you can eat a healthier diet and eliminate unhealthy choices. 

 Fact Sheet: Physical Activity & Fitness and Healthy Eating & Healthy Weight Tips | (Spanish Version)

*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files. 

This publication was supported by the Grant or Cooperative Agreement Number, NU27DD000012, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the for Centers Disease Control and Prevention or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers 

References

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2017) Disability and Health Data System. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System estimates. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/dhds/index.html