The Data Corner Health Variables (DC780 through DC785) has been categorised utilising a combination of the health metrics from the U.S. Census, American Community Survey (ACS) – The Premier Source in the USA.
The ACS survey data from 2005 to 2022 formed the empirical basis for this analysis. To extend the insights into 2023 and 2024, TheDC employed three forecast models that, when aggregated, closely align with US census population estimates. The Data Corner projections for 2023 & 2024 are based of >50M records over 17 years.
Percent of U.S. Population with Health Difficulty: 2005 – 2024
(Click the image to zoom)
The table image below (DC780) below shows the trends of health difficulties reported by individuals from 2005 to 2024
Metrics Description:
DC781: Individuals cognitive difficulty (U.S. Census, ACS metric: DIFFREM indicates whether the respondent has cognitive difficulties (such as learning, remembering, concentrating, or making decisions) because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.)
DC782: Individuals independent living difficulty (U.S. Census, ACS metric: DIFFMOB indicates whether the respondent has any physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more that makes it difficult or impossible to perform basic activities outside the home alone. This does not include temporary health problems, such as broken bones.)
DC783: Individuals self-care difficulty (U.S. Census, ACS metric: DIFFCARE indicates whether respondents have any physical or mental health condition that has lasted at least 6 months and makes it difficult for them to take care of their own personal needs, such as bathing, dressing, or getting around inside the home. This does not include temporary health conditions, such as broken bones or pregnancies.)
DC784: Individuals ambulatory difficulty (U.S. Census, ACS metric: DIFFPHYS indicates whether the respondent has a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying.)
DC785: Individuals vision or hearing difficulty (U.S. Census, ACS metric: DIFFSENS indicates whether the respondent has a long-lasting condition of blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment. “Long-lasting” is not defined in the questionnaire.)
DC780: Individuals health difficultly status (Indicates that the individual has at least one difficulty reported from the metrics DC781, DC782, DC783, DC784, DC785)
