Learning from Crisis: Understanding the Needs of Individuals with Disabilities in Ohio to Enhance Future Pandemic Preparedness
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly worsened health care access and mental health outcomes for adults with disabilities in the United States. Increased barriers to essential services, including caregiver support and routine medical care, lead to higher rates of unmet health care needs and mental distress. These challenges underscore the urgent need for improved preparedness and accessible strategies for future public health emergencies.
Methods: A survey was conducted in Ohio to determine the health care access and barriers to services that disproportionately affected individuals with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results: Seventy-three individuals with disabilities responded to the survey, with 41.6% facing moderate disruptions and 31.2% facing severe disruptions to daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the respondents, 82.2% reported having challenges with health care access and 25.3% reported barriers to caregiver access. Access to mental health support and personal protective equipment were significant challenges to many respondents. COVID-19 testing and vaccine access posed fewer barriers; however, the most indicated barriers were related to communication and discrimination. Reasons for not receiving vaccines were no barriers (49.3%), not wanting them (15.1%), or concerns about side effects (12.3%).
Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing disparities for individuals with disabilities, notably in accessing health care, mental health support, and caregiving. Significant unmet needs persisted in non-COVID-related care pertaining to daily life disruptions and physical and/or mental health care access. The findings highlight systemic inequities, including communication failures and discrimination within health care settings, alongside issues of mistrust and misinformation impacting engagement with health systems.
Keywords: Disability, COVID-19, Barriers, Health care access, Health care needs, Deductive thematic analysis within a qualitative framework
How to Cite:
Bergman M, Hinson-Enslin AM, Kinzeler N. Learning from crisis: understanding the needs of individuals with disabilities in Ohio to enhance future pandemic preparedness. Ohio J Public Health. 2026;8(2). https://doi.org/10.18061/ojph.6631
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