Health promotion for persons with disabilities: what does the literature reveal?

A search of MEDLINE and CINAHL databases for research on disability and health promotion was done. Twenty-three articles were categorized into 1 of 3 areas: the meaning of health and health promotion, factors that contribute to health and health promotion, and health promotion interventions. Overall, health and health promotion were inductively defined concepts that emphasized function, relationships, and a positive mental attitude. Barriers to health promotion were frequently reported, fatigue being most common. Moreover, better health outcomes were reported when people with disabilities engaged in health-promoting behaviors. There were few interventions found, with only 1 being a randomized clinical trial.