Topic Page

Health & Disability  

Disabilities exacerbate socioeconomic and health disparities. People with disabilities experience discrimination in the labor market and in the healthcare system, putting them at a disadvantage in lifetime earnings, retirement security, and long-term health. Likewise, inequalities in health and disability based on socioeconomic status increase the risk of low earners requiring long-term care, which is generally not covered by Medicare. Seniors aged 65 and older who require expensive nursing home care are particularly at risk of exhausting their resources. Disability can happen to anyone, but the risk of a disability and the severity of its consequences can vary by many factors: health history, occupation, and access to healthcare for an illness or after an injury—factors that vary by one’s gender, race, and region of the country.