Reducing Health Disparity in People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Report from Health Issues Special Interest Research Group of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities¹

Abstract

Disparities in the health status and care experienced by people with intellectual disabilities are increasingly being recognized. This special report presents the results of an international expert consensus workshop held under the auspices of the Health Issues Special Interest Research Group of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities. The workshop's presentations were designed to identify domains of health disparity and identify examples of evidence‐based or good practice and from them define statements and recommendations that would form the basis of an agenda for change. The report recognizes the breadth of domains that impact on disparity in health among people with intellectual disabilities by highlighting the importance of classification and the direct recognition of the increased morbidity and reduced life expectancy that these people experience. The report also considers population‐based causes of disparity relating to social circumstances and inequalities in the provision of health and social services. Individual predispositions attributable to sex or genetic factors and potential solutions actualized through self‐determination are discussed.

Exploring the Weight and Health Status of Adults with Down Syndrome

“…Among adults with DD, several factors were identified as increasing risk for overweight including having DS, psychiatric diagnosis, mobility limitations, and sedentary lifestyle. Contrary to results reported by other researchers (Ouellette-Kuntz, 2005;Scheepers et al, 2005), participants in our survey who were living with their parents or relatives did not have significantly higher weight status than individuals living in more structured settings. As noted by other researchers (Havercamp et al, 2004;van Allen et al, 1999) and national and international organizations (Linehan, Walsh, Van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk, & Kerr, 2004;United States Public Health Service, 2002), our findings highlight the real need to focus efforts on better understanding and improving the health of adults with developmental disabilities, and particularly adults with DS.…”

On the need for a specialist service within the generic hospital setting for the adult patient with intellectual disability and physical health problems

“…The majority of adults with ID have a constellation of negative health determinants, including minimal education, low income, unmarried status, unemployment, and often a poorly developed social network (Beange, McElduff, & Baker, 1995;Morgan, Ahmed, & Kerr, 2000;Scheepers et al, 2005).…”

Health and disability: Interprofessional education of healthcare students

“…Developmental disabilities include, for example, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy and autism, and are associated with significant health inequalities when compared to the general community (Scheepers, et al, 2005). These inequalities relate to many health conditions remaining unrecognised and/or receiving suboptimal treatment (Durvasula & Beange, 2001).…”