Health Risks for Women with Physical Limitations poster text in English
Are you a woman with physical limitations?
When we refer to women with physical limitations, we mean women who have significant difficulty with any of the following:
- lifting 10 pounds
- walking up 10 steps without resting
- walking ¼ mile
- standing for about 20 minutes
- bending down from a standing position
- reaching up over the head or reaching out
- using fingers to grasp or handle something
- holding a pen or a pencil
24% of women in the U.S. have some type of activity limitation. The chances of having a limitation increase sharply as women age.*
Women with 3 or more physical limitations are*:
- 8 times more likely to have osteoporosis
- 6 times more likely to have diabetes
- 4 times more likely to have depression
- more than twice as likely to be obese
- almost 3 times more likely to have high blood pressure
- 7 times more likely to be unable to access care
- 4 times more likely to have a specialist as their usual source of care
- 3 times more likely to delay care due to cost
- more likely to have difficulty obtaining:
- mental health care
- eyeglasses
- dental care
- prescriptions
- less likely to have private insurance
[*Statistics drawn from the 1994-95 National Health Interview Survey - Disability Panel]
You may be able to improve your health by:
- increasing your level of physical activity
- increasing your social activities
- reducing calories, fats, and carbs in your diet
- talking to your doctor about side effects of medications you're taking
- getting recommended preventive health services:
- blood pressure check
- cholesterol check
- dental exam
- diabetes screening
- bone density test
- colon cancer screening
- hearing exam
- breast self exam or clinical exam
- mammogram
- pap smear
- vision exam
- talking to other women with physical limitations about how they stay healthy
Many women's limitations are not immediately visible. This can cause additional problems such as:
- limited support, understanding, and assistance from family and friends
- accusations of faking, being lazy, or seeking attention
- pressure from family, friends, employers, and co-workers to do more than they really can
- damage to weakened muscles that are being overused or worked too hard
- pressure not to use assistive devices (such as a cane) that might be helpful
- medical professionals not taking new symptoms seriously
- problems with self-esteem and depression
These same problems are common among women who have conditions that worsen over time.
To help avoid these problems:
- explain the facts about your limitations to family, friends, bosses, and co-workers
- request reasonable accommodation for your limitations from your employer
- find alternative ways to get things done
- ask for help when you need it
- re-think the division of responsibilities in your family
- ask questions and demand answers from health professionals
- purchase assistive devices that would make your daily activities easier
- spend more time with people who are supportive and understanding and less time with those who are not
- control feelings of shame and guilt
- respond to criticism and put-downs with a calm, neutral, confident voice
- make happiness, fun, and fulfillment higher priorities than pride and appearance