Are Spanish Health Services Appropriate To The Needs Of People With Disabilities?

Abstract

In recent decades, social policies have advanced greatly in developed countries, especially with regard to disabilities. This has led to greater resources for these social policies, especially those related to health care. However, people with disabilities have different needs, which are not always reflected in health service care. So, using data of the 2006 Spanish National Health Survey (ENSE 2006), this study focuses on this group of people and analyses the main causes for which they do not receive the health care required. It also examines their healthy behaviour habits, highlighting possible differences with the entire population. This information should be considered when providing health and social care services to people with disabilities.