NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION: Promising Practices for State and Territory Disability Data Collection and Usage
Over 28% of adults in the United States have a disability, yet people with disabilities are often overlooked or ignored when collecting and using data, creating a challenge for evidence-based policymaking. There is considerable literature indicating that people with disabilities face barriers to healthcare access and experience unaddressed health inequities. It is therefore important that states and territories address disparities faced by disabled people in efforts to advance health equity. Disability data allows states and territories to better allocate resources, plan social services and benefits, improve accessibility of public spaces and digital resources, and increase inclusivity of education, employment, and healthcare-related programs. This brief outlines promising practices that states and territories can implement to collect disability data to advance health equity. |