70 Million US Adults Have Disabilities: CDC Data
- New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a concerning disparity: adults with disabilities are experiencing Long COVID at a higher rate than those...
- The 2022 BRFSS, for the frist time, collected data on Long COVID, defined as symptoms lasting three months or longer following a COVID-19 infection.
- The CDC emphasizes that anyone can develop Long COVID after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Over 70 million U.S. adults live with disabilities, according to crucial new data from the CDC. The report reveals that people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by Long COVID, a persistent condition impacting millions. The 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) indicates that 10.8% of those with disabilities report Long COVID symptoms,versus 6.6% without—underscoring the need for targeted interventions and support. Older adults, along with specific racial and ethnic groups, also face higher disability prevalence. This marks a key moment with the secondary_keyword of Long COVID impacting the everyday lives of millions. The CDC is actively working to improve public health data and emergency preparedness. This essential information from News Directory 3 focuses on the vital role of disability inclusion in current and future public health initiatives.Discover what’s next as the CDC reaffirms its dedication to supporting this critically important population.
CDC: Long COVID Disproportionately Affects People with Disabilities
Updated June 07, 2025
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a concerning disparity: adults with disabilities are experiencing Long COVID at a higher rate than those without disabilities. The CDC’s Disability and Health Data System (DHDS) update, drawing from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), shows that 10.8% of people with disabilities reported Long COVID symptoms, compared to 6.6% of those without disabilities.
The 2022 BRFSS, for the frist time, collected data on Long COVID, defined as symptoms lasting three months or longer following a COVID-19 infection. This data helps researchers better understand the connection between disabilities and Long COVID, a secondary_keyword_2 that can significantly impact quality of life.
The CDC emphasizes that anyone can develop Long COVID after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, some individuals, including people with disabilities, face a greater risk due to underlying medical conditions or health and social inequities. This highlights the importance of disability inclusion in public health and emergency preparedness.
Beyond Long COVID, the DHDS data underscores broader disparities. Older adults (65 years and older) reported a higher disability prevalence (43.9%) compared to younger age groups. Among racial and ethnic groups, American Indian or Alaska Native and Other/Multirace individuals reported the highest disability prevalence, both at 38.7%. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and support systems.
The CDC is collaborating with healthcare providers, public health partners, and federal agencies to further investigate the impacts of Long COVID and address the needs of people with disabilities. The agency continues to reccommend vaccination as the best defense against severe COVID-19 outcomes.This is a key strategy for preventing Long COVID and protecting vulnerable populations.
The CDC is working to improve disability representation in public health data to better prepare for emergencies. This includes collaborating with partners to enhance disability inclusion in emergency department surveillance and improve the accuracy of data reported by local health agencies.These efforts aim to strengthen national, state, and local response capacity for detecting and monitoring the health and well-being of people with disabilities during public health emergencies, ensuring disability health data is accurate and accessible.
What’s next
As the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities act approaches on July 26, the CDC reaffirms its commitment to disability inclusion. The agency aims to enhance disability representation in public health data to better plan and prepare for the needs of this population during emergencies, ensuring that disability and health are prioritized in public health initiatives.