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The impact of living arrangements and deinstitutionalisation in the health status of persons with intellectual disability in Europe
- Authors:
- MARTINEZ-LEAL R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(9), September 2011, pp.858-872.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Despite progress in deinstitutionalisation, relatively little is known about the health of people with intellectual disability (PWID) who live in large institutions or those living in small residential services, family homes or independently in the community. Nor are there any international comparisons at the European level of the health status and health risks of PWID living in fully staffed residential services with formal support and care compared with those living in unstaffed family homes or independent houses without formal support. A total of 1269 persons with ID and/or their proxy respondents were interviewed in 14 EU countries using the P15 multinational assessment battery to collect data on health indicators relevant to PWID. Participants were grouped according to their living arrangements, formal support and stage of deinstitutionalisation. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle were prevalent along with illnesses such as epilepsy, mental disorders, allergies or constipation. There were more cases of myocardial infarction, chronic bronchitis, osteoporosis and gastric or duodenal ulcers among participants in countries at the early stage of deinstitutionalisation. There were important deficits in variables related health promotion such as screening and vaccination in family homes and independent living arrangements. The authors point to the important differences between different living arrangements depending on the level of formal support available and the stage of deinstitutionalisation.