The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) state-based disability and health programs inform policy and practice at the state level. These programs ensure that individuals with disabilities are included in ongoing state disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency response activities. CDC supports 18 state-based programs to promote equity in health, prevent chronic disease, and
increase the quality of life for people with disabilities. Each program customizes its activities to meet its state’s needs, which broadens expertise and information sharing among states. The programs’ goals are to:
•Enhance program infrastructure and capacity.
•Improve state level surveillance and monitoring activities.
•Increase awareness of health-related disability policy initiatives.
•Increase health promotion opportunities for people with disabilities.
•Improve access to health care services for people with disabilities.
•Improve emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
•Effectively monitor and evaluate program activities. The goals of the state disability and health programs align with those of Healthy People 2020 related to disability:
•Removing barriers to participation in social, spiritual, recreational, community and civic activities.
•Improving access to primary care, and health and wellness programs.
•Identifying people with disabilities in data systems.
•Increasing surveillance and health promotion programs.
•Providing graduate-level courses in disability and health. Arkansas Program activities include:
•Enhancing program infrastructure and capacity through the expansion and support of an Advisory Board and increasing the representation of individuals with disabilities on public health program committees.
•Improving state-level surveillance and monitoring by conducting a statewide needs assessment to look at the health status and access of people with disabilities, developing documents comparing demographics and health disparities of Arkansas and the U.S.
•Increasing awareness of health-related disability policy initiatives through Disability Policy Summits; educating and supporting advocates on proposed policy initiatives and disseminating information to policy makers.
•Increase health promotion opportunities for people with disabilities by supporting training that maximizes the health of people with disabilities and implementing health awareness and education campaigns.
•Improving access to health care for people with disabilities by looking at the accessibility of healthcare facilities, and educating healthcare professionals through continued education, as well as internship placement for students in 11 different health related disciplines.
•Improving emergency preparedness among people with disabilities by reviewing state emergency plans for accessibility, involving people with disabilities in county level planning, providing training, and ensuring shelter access by identifying and surveying pre-designated shelter sites. The Arkansas Disability and Health Program is housed in the Partners for Inclusive Communities at the University of Arkansas' College of Education and Health Professions.
