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Pandemic deepened health gaps for people with disabilities, study finds

Preventive heart screenings and routine care dropped significantly for disabled adults during COVID-19, exposing long-standing system failures.

Jul 2, 2025

1 min

A new peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that U.S. adults with disabilities experienced significant declines in preventive cardiovascular screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic — and continued to face cost-related barriers to care, even after accounting for economic disruptions.


Using nationally representative data from more than 150,000 adults between 2019 and 2023, the study highlights how routine care like blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings dropped most sharply for those with cognitive, physical, or multiple disabilities. Adults with disabilities were also more likely to report delaying or missing care due to cost.


These findings underscore persistent health inequities and the urgent need for inclusive public health strategies, especially for populations already at greater risk for cardiovascular disease.


Why it matters:


Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. Adults with disabilities face higher risks and more barriers to care — making consistent preventive screenings essential. This study offers the first detailed, post-pandemic national look at how different disability groups were affected, with implications for future policy and healthcare reform.


For more information on the study and to speak to experts, contact mediarelations@udel.edu. 




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