People with disabilities are at a higher risk for poor health outcomes. There is a clear need
for public health efforts to reduce health disparities among people with disabilities.
Knowledge about the health status and public health needs of people with disabilities is
essential for addressing these and other health disparities.
The four Competencies and associated learning objectives will address the knowledge gaps for public health professionals about disability, and health disparities. They provide
foundational knowledge about the relationship between public health programs and health outcomes among people with disabilities. The Competencies can also be embedded into existing public health curriculum and training programs.
Implementation of these Competencies, and strategies, will build a stronger public health workforce skilled in ways to include people with disabilities in public health planning efforts and reduce health disparities for this population.
Including People with Disabilities: Public Health Workforce Competencies 