Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
09:29
A Standardized Obstacle Course for Assessment of Visual Function in Ultra Low Vision and Artificial Vision
Published on: February 11, 2014
13.2K
Health Care Access and Use Among Adults With and Without Vision Impairment: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
Qi Cheng1, Catherine A Okoro2, Isabel Mendez3
1Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS S106-4, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717.
Preventing Chronic Disease
|November 10, 2022
Summary
Adults with vision impairment face significant barriers to healthcare access and utilization. This population reported lower rates of health insurance, regular providers, and dental visits, alongside higher unmet needs due to cost.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Ophthalmology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Adults with vision impairment have unique healthcare needs.
- Understanding healthcare access for this population is crucial for maintaining good health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between vision status and healthcare access and utilization among US adults.
- To identify disparities in healthcare access for adults with vision impairment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data.
- Inclusion of adults aged 18+ reporting vision impairment (difficulty seeing even with glasses).
- Assessment of healthcare access (insurance, usual provider, unmet needs) and utilization (checkups, dental visits).
Main Results:
- 5.3% of adults reported vision impairment.
- Adults with vision impairment had lower rates of health insurance (80.6% vs 87.6%), usual provider (71.9% vs 75.7%), and dental visits (52.9% vs 67.2%).
- Adults with vision impairment were more likely to have unmet healthcare needs due to cost (29.2% vs 12.6%).
Conclusions:
- Adults with vision impairment experience reduced access to and use of healthcare services.
- Further research is needed to identify and address barriers to care for this population.
- Improving healthcare access for visually impaired adults is essential.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
1.1K
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
1.1K
01:21Health Literacy
4.1K
Health literacy is an individual's or a community's capacity to comprehend, receive, read, and use relevant healthcare information and services. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2018) defines health literacy as the cognitive and social skills that determine the ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health. As a result, the WHO helps individuals manage long-term health concerns, participate in preventative...
4.1K
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
6.3K
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
6.3K
01:12Relative Risk
284
Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...
284
01:29Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
5.8K
The issues and trends in healthcare delivery are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent issue that wreaked havoc on healthcare systems, causing a shortage of healthcare workers, high demand for medicines and supplies, and increased medical expenditure due to a lack of insurance. Other issues include rising healthcare costs and care fragmentation.
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
5.8K
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
2.7K
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
2.7K