Who We Are
The Maryland Disability Health Inclusion Program (DHIP) was established in 2016 with funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In partnership with the Maryland Department of Disabilities, DHIP created a Disability and Health Advisory Committee. The Committee meets regularly to guide DHIP's activities.
What We Do
People with disabilities experience significant health disparities. We train medical and public health professionals to provide accessible services and supports so that people with disabilities can live active, healthy lives.
Our Mission
To improve the health status of people with disabilities in the community by:
- Eliminating barriers (programmatic and environmental) to state and community-based health promotion programs;
- Increasing the competency of internal and external public health professionals on disability-related issues;
- Promoting the support needs of people with disabilities to live healthy lives and be engaged in their communities;
- Developing sustainable and mutually-beneficial community partnerships; and,
- Increasing the availability and use of health promotion resources, tools and inclusion strategies.
Facts
People with disabilities experience significant health disparities.
In Maryland over 72% of adults with disabilities reported having a chronic disease, such as diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease.1 Additionally, 38.1% of adults who report any disability are categorized as obese compared to 28.5% of adults who report no disability, increasing their risk for many serious diseases and poorer health outcomes.1,2
Adults with any disability were more likely to report not being able to see a doctor in the last 12 months due to cost.2
Source
[1] Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2019.
[2] Adult Obesity Causes and Consequences, CDC,
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes.html, 2021.
Contact Us
For more information, contact us at 410-767-5263.
