Which statement reflects the effects of medical advances on life expectancy for individuals with disabilities?

• A. Down syndrome is associated with a congenital heart condition and life expectancy has decreased
• B. Cystic fibrosis survival rate has increased from 8 to 26 years
• C. There have been no changes in life expectancy for these conditions
• D. Medical advances have not affected disability outcomes

Answer: (B)

Medical advances have lengthened life spans for people with chronic disabilities and health conditions. The statement about cystic fibrosis reflects this trend: with better treatments, management, and supportive care, survival has shifted from childhood into adulthood, shown by the rise from about 8 to the mid-20s. This illustrates how medical progress directly improves longevity for individuals with disabilities or serious conditions.

Other options misstate the trend. Down syndrome, with modern medical care, has seen increased life expectancy rather than decreases. Claims of no change or that medical advances haven’t affected outcomes contradict the well-documented improvements in care and longevity for these populations.