Table 1 shows detailed information of the study population. A higher proportion of females, elderly (≥65 years), and low educated (no diploma or primary school) individuals were observed among mildly and severely disabled subjects compared to individuals without disability. Proxy interviews represented 9 % of the total number of interviews, reaching 29 % in the individuals with severe disability. The hospitalization rate in the 2004 and 2008 BHIS was 12.5 %, with an increasing trend with disability severity. Mobility limitation was the most frequent limitation, with increasing proportion according to disability severity level. For example, the proportion of mobility limitation was 77 % in severely disabled individuals and 65 % in mildly disabled individuals. The most common ADL limitations among individuals with mild disability were transfer in and out of bed (39.8 %) and transfer in and out of chair (35.5 %) while for severely disabled individuals, dressing and undressing (41.9 %) and transfer in and out of bed (35.5 %) were the most frequent ADL limitations