Disparities in Social Determinants of Health Amongst People with Disabilities

Social determinants of health are conditions, such as physical and social environments, which contribute to health outcomes. People with disabilities face more health inequities than their nondisabled peers, including disparities in social determinants of health. Although research indicates people with disabilities face a number of disparities compared to their nondisabled peers, less research has focused on disparities in social determinants of health among people with disabilities as a group. The aim of this study was to explore disparities in social determinants of health among people with disabilities. To do so, we analysed Personal Outcome Measures (R) interviews from 1,473 people with disabilities in the United States to examine correlates of social determinants of health. Findings revealed a number of characteristics that were correlated with lower social determinants of health among people with disabilities: gender; race; primary communication method; disability type; impairment severity; residence type; and organisational supports in place. Many of our findings link to larger structural systems and oppressions. Working on an individual scale to provide better services and supports to individual people with disabilities, although important, is not enough. People with disabilities will not have health equity until structural issues, such as racism, sexism, and ableism, are addressed.