Estimates of Disability Among Ethnic Groups in Hawaii

Objective: To estimate and describe the current prevalence of disability among Hawaii’s population. Design, Setting, and Participants: Random-digit telephone survey of 6,000 adults aged 18 and older residing in Hawaii and participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 2002 and the 2000 US Census. Main Outcome Measures: Any disability, indicators of disability severity by ethnicity, age, and gender. Results: Filipinos and Native Hawaiians are experiencing higher age-specific levels of disability when compared with their Japanese and White counterparts. Within the working-aged population, Native Hawaiians experience a more severe level of disability than other ethnic groups. Within the elderly population, it appears that Filipinos experience a more severe level of disability. One third of Native Hawaiians attribute their disability to the effects of a stroke, one third of Filipinos attribute their disability to the effects of heart disease, and one fourth to one third of Whites and Japanese who attribute their disability to arthritis. Conclusions: We have described the current prevalence of disability among Hawaii’s population based on two established population-based surveillance systems: The US Census and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Preliminary findings suggest that Native Hawaiians and Filipinos may be experiencing more severe levels of disability. The data also suggests that disability among Native Hawaiians and Filipinos may be associated with stroke and heart disease. More information is needed about disability and health among ethnic groups in Hawaii and the Pacific region. Population aging in Hawaii, as well as the increase in non-communicable diseases will result in larger numbers of people with disabilities who will need health and other services. © 2003 Californian Journal of Health Promotion. All rights reserved.