Changing the Paradigm in Public Health and Disability through a Knowledge Translation Center.

Kerri A Vanderbom,Yochai Eisenberg,Teneasha Washington,Allison H Tubbs,Amy Rauworth,Alex X Martínez

doi:10.3390/ijerph15020328

Abstract

People with disabilities are a health disparity population that face many barriers to health promotion opportunities in their communities. Inclusion in public health initiatives is a critical approach to address the health disparities that people with disabilities experience. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) is tackling health disparities in the areas of physical activity, healthy nutrition, and healthy weight management. Using the NCHPAD Knowledge Adaptation, Translation, and Scale-up Framework, NCHPAD is systematically facilitating, monitoring, and evaluating inclusive programmatic, policy, systems, and environmental (PPSE) changes in communities and organizations at a local and national level. Through examples we will highlight the importance of adapting knowledge, facilitating uptake, developing strategic partnerships and building community capacity that ultimately creates sustainable, inclusive change.

Highlights

IntroductionPeople with disabilities are an unrecognized disparity population [1] that experience health inequities rooted in a history of systematic discrimination and exclusion [2]
People with Disabilities Face Health InequitiesPeople with disabilities are an unrecognized disparity population [1] that experience health inequities rooted in a history of systematic discrimination and exclusion [2]
NCHPAD focuses on facilitating inclusive PPSE changes in local and national initiatives in the areas of physical activity, healthy nutrition, and healthy weight management

Summary

Introduction

People with disabilities are an unrecognized disparity population [1] that experience health inequities rooted in a history of systematic discrimination and exclusion [2]. While having a disability does not equate to being unhealthy, individuals with disabilities experience a greater incidence of poor health than other underserved groups and people without disability [4]. The cost of disability among US adults was estimated to be nearly $400 billion USD, with health care costs accounting for nearly 27% of all health care expenditures [6]. As the largest minority group in the United States, the health status of individuals with disabilities is a major and significant public health concern

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