For disabled parents, extra family services could improve entire family's health

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For disabled parents, extra family services could improve entire

family's health

06 Jun 2005 Medical News Today

Research from Tufts University illustrates the significant role

parental disability plays in overall family health as indicated by

immunization rates for young children. Hyatt, PhD, of the

Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition in the

Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University,

recently published these findings in the June 2005 issue of Medical

Care. The report assessed the likelihood that children of parents

with a disability receive their childhood immunizations on time.

Disability, in this study, is identified as the gap between a

personal capability and an environmental demand, and is therefore

avoidable or modifiable through intervention.

" We found that children living in households with one or more parents

who are disabled are 65% less likely to receive the recommended

immunizations by age two as children whose parents are not disabled, "

reports Hyatt. " These results suggest that disability is truly 'a

family affair'. "

The study, according to Hyatt, determined that parental disability

does indeed impact the whole family's access to health care and

therefore their health status. Implications of this study, he says,

could raise awareness of this association, and stimulate change.

Support services for parents with a disability, for instance, would

enhance children's access to health services. Vaccinations are an

important preventive public health measure, and could be more easily

obtained for these children if appropriate services were in place.

" There should be enough resources to match support services with

parents who have severe disabilities and dependent children. Outreach

to this population will improve the health outcomes of the whole

family, " suggests Hyatt.

Hyatt, R.R., , S.M. Medical Care, 2005 June; 43(6). " Disability

as a 'Family Affair': Parental Disability and Childhood

Immunization. "

Tufts University

http://www.tufts.edu