Access to Preventive Services for Working-Age Adults With Physical Limitations

Objective: To examine differences in access to preventive services for working-age adults with physical limitations, nonphysical limitations, and no limitations.

Design: Observational data were pooled across calendar years 2003 through 2012 from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized U.S. adults.

Setting: Community.

Participants: Working-age adults (N=75,145; age range, 18-64y) who responded to all 5 rounds of the MEPS during 2003 through 2012.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: Blood pressure checks, flu shots, and dental visits, in the last 12 months.

Results: Multivariate analyses showed that adults with physical limitations were more likely to receive a blood pressure check (92.2% vs 69.6%, respectively; P<.001) or flu shot (39.7% vs 23.4%, respectively; P<.001) than adults with no limitations. However, those with physical limitations were less likely to have a dental checkup (44.7% vs 59.4%, respectively; P<.001) than those with no limitation. Having a usual source of care increased the odds of receiving preventive services.

Conclusions: The study has implications for providers and policymakers. Policies that support the adequacy of provider networks and continuity with a usual source of care may increase the use of preventive services in adults with physical limitations.