Reduce the proportion of adults with disabilities who delay preventive care because of cost — DH‑01 Healthy People in Action

This Veterans Day we encourage you to honor the service and sacrifices of our nation's veterans with action that supports improving their health. Many veterans encounter long-term health issues, often related to their service, which require special attention to prevention, education, and access to care. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) translates science into policy and provides vital programs and guidance that helps everyone in the United States, including veterans, maintain and improve their health and build greater resilience.

Legal and policy approaches can be important tools for achieving healthier communities. A new report—The Role of Law and Policy in Achieving Healthy People’s Disability and Health Goals around Access to Health Care, Activities Promoting Health and Wellness, Independent Living and Participation, and Collecting Data in the United States—provides evidence-based information and identifies priority areas that can help communities achieve Healthy People 2020 objectives.

This Bright Spot describes how the Boston Center for Independent Living—with legal assistance from key partners—set out to make health care more accessible to people with disabilities in the Boston area.

Challenge: Closing gaps in health care access for people with disabilities