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A new ABS publication focuses on preliminary results relating to
disability from the 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC). Final survey data, with more detail and a wider range of variables, is
expected to be released in September 2004. The publication also includes
some comparisons with results from the previous survey in 1998. The 2003 SDAC estimates that one in five Australians (3,951,000 or 20%)
had a disability. This rate was the same for males and females. The rate
increased with age, reaching 81% for those aged 85 years and over. The
age-standardised disability rates for total males, females and persons
showed little change between 1998 and 2003 and the pattern across age
groups was very similar in these two years. The 2003 SDAC found that one in seventeen people (5.9%) had a profound or
severe level of core activity limitation (i.e. they needed help with one
or more self-care, mobility or communication activities), a slightly
smaller proportion than in 1998 (6.4%). However, the rate for persons aged 85 years and over dropped more
substantially, from 65% in 1998 to 54% in 2003, with the decrease more
marked for males than females. The pattern of prevalence of profound or severe level of core activity
limitation differed across age groups from that of the overall disability
population. There was a gradual increase in the rate for age groups 0-4
years (2.8%) through to 65-69 years (9.4%) but it then increased sharply
to 54% of those aged 85 years and over. This contrasted with the overall
disability rate which increased steadily from 4% of 0-4 year olds to 41%
of 65-69 year olds and 81% of those aged 85 years and over. From Disability and NESB – June 2004 A
newsletter for people interested in issues relevant to people from a NESB
with disability and their families and carers. Produced by the
Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA). |
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