IPUMS USA: descr: DIFFPHYS

IPUMS USA

Select samples

DIFFPHYS

Ambulatory difficulty

Comparability

This variable is only available in the 2000 census, the ACS and the PRCS. The 2000 census inquired about "long-lasting conditions" but did not define "long-lasting"; the 2000-2007 ACS and 2005-2007 PRCS specified that such conditions have lasted for at least six months; and the 2008 ACS/PRCS dropped any such mention of time. Additionally, the 2008 ACS/PRCS mentioned only "serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs."

User Caution: Researchers utilizing the disability variables in the ACS and PRCS should be aware of changes to the ACS questionnaire between 2002 and 2003. Due to these changes, it may be impossible to distinguish between actual differences in disability rates between 2002 and 2003 and differences attributable to changes in the questionnaire. See this Census Bureau working paper for more information: Disability Data From the American Community Survey: A Brief Examination of the Effects of Question Redesign in 2003. Users should also exercise caution in comparing rates between 2007 and 2008, as the questionnaire changed in both wording and structure.

Availability

United States

2023: All samples
2022: All samples
2021: All samples
2020: All samples
2019: All samples
2018: All samples
2017: All samples
2016: All samples
2015: All samples
2014: All samples
2013: All samples
2012: All samples
2011: ACS; ACS 3yr
2010: ACS; ACS 3yr
2009: ACS
2008: ACS
2007: All samples
2006: All samples
2005: All samples
2004: All samples
2003: All samples
2002: All samples
2001: All samples
2000: All samples
1990: --
1980: --
1970: --
1960: --
1950: --
1940: --
1930: --
1920: --
1910: --
1900: --
1880: --
1870: --
1860: --
1850: --

Puerto Rico

2023: All samples
2022: All samples
2021: All samples
2020: All samples
2019: All samples
2018: All samples
2017: All samples
2016: All samples
2015: All samples
2014: All samples
2013: All samples
2012: All samples
2011: PRCS; PRCS 3yr
2010: PRCS; PRCS 3yr
2009: PRCS
2008: PRCS
2007: All samples
2006: All samples
2005: All samples
2000: All samples
1990: --
1980: --
1970: --
1930: --
1920: --
1910: --

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Editing Procedure

DIFFREM (Cognitive difficulty)
DIFFPHYS (Ambulatory difficulty)
DIFFMOB (Independent living difficulty)
DIFFSENS (Vision or hearing difficulty)
DIFFCARE (Self-care difficulty)
DISABWRK (Work disability)
DIFFEYE (Vision difficulty)
DIFFHEAR (Hearing difficulty)
ACS Years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
ACS editing procedure:
Note: DIFFEYE and DIFFHEAR were added in 2008; prior to 2008 they were asked together in DIFFSENS. DISABWRK was not asked in 2008 or later.
If a person has a "Blank, Don't Know, Refused, or Bad Value" for DIFFEYE, DIFFHEAR, DIFFREM, DIFFPHYS, DIFFMOB, DIFFSENS, DIFFCARE, or DISABWRK it will be allocated. If the person is under 16 (15 starting in 2008), the allocated value will be drawn from other respondents of a similar age and sex. If the person is 16 to 29 (15 to 29 starting in 2008), the allocated values will be drawn from other respondents with the same sex, employment status, and school enrollment status. For those 30 to 64, the allocated values will be drawn from other respondents with the same sex, employment status, and age group (30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 64). For those 65 and older, the allocated values will be drawn from other respondents with the same sex and age group (65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85+). The flag variables will show when a value is allocated (QDIFHEAR, QDIFEYE, QDIFREM, QDIFPHYS, QDIFMOB, QDIFSENS, QDIFCARE, QDISABWR)
If a person is under 5 years old, DIFFREM, DIFFPHYS, DIFFSENS, and DIFFCARE will be replaced with a "Not in universe" values. If a person is under 16, DIFFMOB and DISABWRK will be replaced with "Not in universe."
Internal ACS variable : DEYE DPHY DREM DDRS DOT DWRK DEAR

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Description

Codes and Frequencies

Comparability

Universe

Availability

Flags

Editing Procedure