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How do disability rates differ for males and females?
Of the noninstitutionalized population in the United States over the age of 15, 25.0 million females (24.6%) report disabilities compared to 21.0 million males (22.4%). Furthermore, 14.0 million females report severe disabilities (13.8%), while only 9.6 million males report severe disabilities (10.2%). Disability rates for both sexes increase as age increases. For some age groups, males report higher percentages of disabilities than women, and, in others, women have higher percentages than men.
Disability rates are higher for females at older ages.
Graphic: Line chart.
Technical Note: The midpoints of the groups have been used to create a continuous line.
Source: McNeil, 1993
Survey: SIPP, 1992