Objectives. We compared national prevalence and wealth-related inequality in
disability across a large number of countries from all income groups.
Methods. Data on 218 737 respondents participating in the World Health
Survey 2002–2004 were analyzed. A composite disability score (0–100) identified
respondents who experienced significant disability in physical, mental, and
social functioning irrespective of their underlying health condition. Disabled
persons had disability composite scores above 40. Wealth was evaluated using
an index of economic status in households based on ownership of selected
assets. Socioeconomic inequalities were measured using the slope index of
inequality and the relative index of inequality.
Results. Median age-standardized disability prevalence was higher in the lowand
lower middle-income countries. In all the study countries, disability was more
prevalent in the poorest than in the richest wealth quintiles. Pro-rich inequality was
statistically significant in 43 of 49 countries, with disability prevalence higher
among populations with lower wealth. Median relative inequality was higher
in the high- and upper middle-income countries.
Conclusions. Integrating equity components into the monitoring of disability
trends would help ensure that interventions reach and benefit populations with
greatest need. (Am J Public Health. 2013;103:1278–1286. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.
301115)