Challenges for the 21st Century: Chronic and Disabling Conditions

New Data Profile Is Available from the Center on an Aging Society

The Center on an Aging Society has just released a new series of Data Profiles on chronic and disabling conditions. The first Data Profile, titled Screening for Chronic Conditions: Underused Services, examines the extent to which population groups use screening services for a number of different conditions. Although rates differ by condition, certain groups generally are less likely to be screened: people who do not have health insurance or a usual source of health care, those with lower incomes, and those living in rural areas. A finding of particular interest is that people with higher incomes are more likely than those with lower incomes to have screening services available in the workplace. There is little difference, by income, in the use of screening services when they are available in the workplace, however.

Over the next 24 months, the Center on an Aging Society will continue to provide statistical portraits of how people with chronic and disabling conditions live their lives. Other Data Profiles now in production cover conditions such as pediatric obesity, visual impairments, and cancer. In addition, Issue Briefs that examine the public policy issues associated with chronic and disabling conditions will be available. The topic for the first Issue Brief is Substance Abuse.

Screening for Chronic Conditions: Underused Services Download PDF Version

Center on an Aging Society Web Site