On this page: About the National Data | Methodology | History
About the National Data
Data
Data Source: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS
Baseline: 12.4 percent of adults 18 years and over with visual impairment used assistive and adaptive devices in 2017
Target: 15.9 percent
Numerator
Number of adults aged 18 years and over who have trouble seeing and use any visual assistive and adaptive devices.
Denominator
Number of adults aged 18 years and over who have trouble seeing.
Target-setting method
Percentage point improvement
Target-setting method details
Percentage point improvement from the baseline using Cohen's h effect size of 0.10.
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were evaluated for this objective, but it was not possible to project a target because the trend was moving away from the desired direction. A percentage point improvement was calculated using Cohen's h effect size of 0.1. This method was used because although the trend analysis was moving away from the desired direction, those results were largely influenced by a precipitous drop in device utilization from 2002 to 2008; a slight increase in the past decade makes this target ambitious, yet achievable. New technologies, such as recently FDA-approved retinal prostheses, and the integration of adaptive devices in smart phones will increase the availability and use in the coming decade.
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)
From the 2017 National Health Interview Survey Vision Supplement:
Numerator:
Do you use any adaptive devices such as telescopic or other prescriptive lenses, magnifiers, large print or talking materials, CCTV, white cane, or guide dog?- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
Numerator and Denominator:
Do you have any trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses?- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
Methodology notes
Persons who respond "yes" having trouble seeing and use of any vision adaptive devices meet the criteria for this objective.
Age-adjustment notes
This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:
- Total: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Sex: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Race/Ethnicity: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Educational Attainment: 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Family Type: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Country of Birth: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Disability Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Geographic Location: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Health Insurance Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64
- Sexual orientation: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
- Marital Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
History
Comparable HP2020 objective
Retained, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 with no change in measurement.
1. Effect size h=0.1 was chosen to correspond with 10% improvement from a baseline of 50%.
