Dataset Information

How COVID-19 impacted people with disabilities: A qualitative study in Delaware.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for people with disabilities and their caregivers and service providers. An assessment of how the COVID-19 pandemic, and the public health response to it, inequitably impacted the health and well-being of people with disabilities is needed to improve preparedness for future public health emergencies. Interviews were conducted with the goal of documenting the impacts of COVID-19 on community-dwelling individuals in Delaware.

Study design

Qualitative interviews using a structured interview guide.

Methods

In November and December 2022, interviews were conducted with individuals with disabilities, their caregivers, governmental and non-profit service providers, and elected representatives in Delaware. Interviews focused on obtaining information related to COVID-related threats to maintaining good health, affordable and accessible housing, work, educational opportunities, transportation, and community belonging during the pandemic. Interview transcripts were inductively analyzed.

Results

Five themes were identified including changes to, or loss of, home-based medical and other services, changes in daily routines that impacted access to work and education, limits on access to transportation, financial strains and housing issues, and mental health concerns.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted nearly all aspects of the lives of people with disabilities. COVID-19 presented long-term, existential threats to progress made toward independent living, meaningful work, and financial, health, and educational equity for people with disabilities.

SUBMITTER: Rechner L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10477798 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

How COVID-19 impacted people with disabilities: A qualitative study in Delaware.

Rechner L L Harvey K E KE Lancaster S S Horney J A JA

Public health in practice (Oxford, England) 20230823

<h4>Objectives</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for people with disabilities and their caregivers and service providers. An assessment of how the COVID-19 pandemic, and the public health response to it, inequitably impacted the health and well-being of people with disabilities is needed to improve preparedness for future public health emergencies. Interviews were conducted with the goal of documenting the impacts of COVID-19 on community-dwelling individuals in Delaware ...[more]

PMID: 37675127

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundUnderstanding disparities in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes between people with disabilities (PwD) and people without disabilities (PwoD) is crucial, particularly when considering the heterogeneity within PwD and age differences. This study aimed to compare severe COVID-19 outcomes including deaths between PwD and PwoD with analyses stratified by age group and further examined by disability type.MethodsThis retrospective, population-based cohort study used linked data from national COVID-19 cases and health insurance for individuals aged ≥ 19 years with COVID-19 from January 2020 to October 2022 in the Republic of Korea. Severe outcomes included severe cases and deaths, with logistic regression analysis of the risk disparities between PwD and PwoD based on age group and disability types. The subgroup analysis considered epidemic periods, accounting for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant circulation.ResultsThe risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and deaths among PwD varied by age and disability type. While severe outcomes were most prevalent in the older age groups for both PwD and PwoD, younger PwD faced a markedly higher risk-up to eightfold-compared to PwoD. The risk of disability status was greater than that of comorbidities in the 19-39 age group. Among disability types, individuals with internal organs-related and intellectual disabilities showed higher risk disparities with PwoD in severe outcomes than other types of disabilities. Throughout the pandemic, the disparity in death risk remained similar, with a slight increase in disparity during the omicron period for all severe outcomes in the age groups 19-39 and 40-64 years.ConclusionPrioritizing younger PwD, along with older age groups and people with comorbidities, is crucial in addressing public health crises. Risk-based prioritization is important to reduce overall risk. This includes prioritizing people with nternal organs-related and intellectural disabilities, who face higher health risks among PwD during a pandemic when resources are limited and time is of the essence.

Dataset Information

How COVID-19 impacted people with disabilities: A qualitative study in Delaware.

Objectives

Study design

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

How COVID-19 impacted people with disabilities: A qualitative study in Delaware.

Similar Datasets

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