Search

Using data from recent national disability surveys in Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the United States, an international team of researchers coded indicators of several types of disability using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. This article discusses the Disability Tabulations (DISTAB) project and presents and evaluates the estimates of the prevalence of visual impairments.

The Functional Independence Measure for Blind Adults (FIMBA) Preadmission Interview and the Post-discharge Interview was tested on 143 veterans with blindness. Findings indicate the veterans achieved gains in at least one of the three dimensions (frequency, ease, and satisfaction) across the 33 items that were measured by FIMBA. (Contains references.) (CR)

Caregiving has only recently been acknowledged by the nation as an important topic for millions of Americans. A psychological or sociological approach to caregiving services has been most often applied, with little attention to the populationbased public health outcomes of caregivers. We conceptualize caregiving as an emerging public health issue involving complex and fluctuating roles. We contend that caregiving must be considered in the context of life span needs that vary according to the ages, developmental levels, mental health needs, and physical health demands of both caregivers and care recipients. (Am J Public Health. 2007;97:224-228. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2004. 059337)

Objectives. We investigated the health, activity, and social participation of people aged 70 years or older with vision impairment, hearing loss, or both. Methods. We examined the 1994 Second Supplement on Aging to determine the health and activities of these 3 groups compared with those without sensory loss. We calculated odds ratios and classified variables according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. Results. Older people with only hearing loss reported disparities in health, activities, and social roles; those with only vision impairment reported greater disparities; and those with both reported the greatest disparities. Conclusions. A hierarchical pattern emerged as impairments predicted consistent disparities in activities and social participation. This population's patterns of health and activities have public health implications. (Am J Public Health. 2004; 94:823-829)

This articles addresses the broad policy issues of aging and blindness by defining policy considerations in the context of the International Classification of Impairment Disabilities and Handicaps. It defines strategies and methods for measuring rehabilitation outcomes among people who are older and blind.

Claims there is no coherent public policy regarding aging and blindness, but five issues may provide perspective and direction: burgeoning demographic forces, the concept of independent living, a "small gains" orientation to rehabilitation of blind elders, the needs of family caregivers, and the roles of management and leadership during times of change. (Author)

Background Glaucoma is the foremost cause of irreversible blindness, and more than 50% of cases remain undiagnosed. Our objective was to report the costs of a glaucoma detection programme operationalised through Philadelphia community centres. Methods The analysis was performed using a healthcare system perspective in 2013 US dollars. Costs of examination and educational workshops were captured. Measures were total programme costs, cost/ case of glaucoma detected and cost/case of any ocular disease detected (including glaucoma). Diagnoses are reported at the individual level (therefore representing a diagnosis made in one or both eyes). Staff time was captured during site visits to 15 of 43 sites and included time to deliver examinations and workshops, supervision, training and travel. Staff time was converted to costs by applying wage and fringe benefit costs from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Non-staff costs (equipment and mileage) were collected using study logs. Participants with previously diagnosed glaucoma were excluded. Results 1649 participants were examined. Mean total per-participant examination time was 56 min (SD 4). Mean total examination cost/participant was $139. The cost/case of glaucoma newly identified (open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, or primary angle closure) was $420 and cost/case for any ocular disease identified was $273. Conclusion Glaucoma examinations delivered through this programme provided significant health benefit to hard-to-reach communities. On a per-person basis, examinations were fairly low cost, though opportunities exist to improve efficiency. Findings serve as an important benchmark for planning future community-based glaucoma examination programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]