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Intellectual disability and ill health: a review of the evidence
- Editors:
- O'HARA Jean, McCARTHY Jane, BOURAS Nick (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 246p.
- Place of publication:
- Cambridge
Whether for reasons of difficulties in communication, diagnostic overshadowing, discrimination or indifference, people with intellectual disability often have health needs that go unrecognised and untreated. There is concern that public health measures aimed at reducing the main health killers in the population will not address these issues for people with intellectual disability and therefore widen the inequality that already exists. The editors draw together a systematic review of physical (arranged by body system) and mental health co-morbidities in people with intellectual disability. Both physical and mental disorders are included as well as aetiology and general health issues. The writers aim is to provide an evidence base for shaping public health policy, healthcare commissioning and the development of more effective healthcare systems, as well as supporting better understanding and practice at an individual clinical level.
Caring for the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- PERRY David, et al
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 176p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The authors suggest that although people with learning disabilities are at greater risk of physical and psychiatric illness than the majority of the population their health needs are not always adequately supported. This book is a practical guide for those caring for people with learning disabilities who live in community settings. It aims to help carers better understand what the service users' health needs may be, how to recognise problems, and how to meet these needs. Subjects discussed include: physical health issues such as epilepsy, common health problems and diet and well-being; mental health issues such as dementia, depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety; and information related to common difficulties such as sleep and swallowing problems. The final section of the book focuses on accessing services, screening programmes, health checks, and when admission to psychiatric care is required. An appendix looks at genetic causes of learning disability and a glossary and references are provided.
Ageing and intellectual disabilities: improving longevity and promoting healthy ageing: summative report
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 21p.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
Increased longevity has led to an increase in the population of persons with intellectual disabilities in the developed nations. However, national health provision schemes are often inadequate and do not recognise the special needs of adults with intellectual disabilities and, as they age, their health needs are not attended to in a manner equivalent to that of the general population. This report examines the general health status of adults with intellectual disabilities, identifies the conditions that support their longevity and promote healthy ageing, and proposes health and social inclusion promotion activities that would universally foster sound health and improve quality of life. It provides a summary of the main issues put forth in 4 reports prepared for the World Health Organization on healthy ageing in adults with intellectual disabilities which look at the specific areas of physical health, women’s health, biobehavioural, and social policy. Included in this summary are the main recommendations from the 4 reports for improving health and longevity among persons with intellectual disabilities.
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.
Learning and behavioural difficulties but not microcephaly in three brothers resulting from undiagnosed maternal phenylketonuria
- Authors:
- SHAW-SMITH C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 30(5), September 2004, pp.551-555.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Universal screening introduced in the 1960s has reduced the incidence of learning disability resulting from phenylketonuria (PKU), which is a treatable condition. Nonetheless, PKU may still be having an impact on the paediatric-age population. The authors report a woman with previously undiagnosed PKU who was born before the onset of universal screening. She is of normal intelligence, and so the diagnosis was not suspected until after the birth of her three children. Her serum phenylalanine concentration was found to be in excess of 1 mmol/L, well into the toxic range. She has had three sons, all of whom have a significant degree of learning disability resulting from intrauterine exposure to toxic levels of phenylalanine. None of the sons had microcephaly, a physical sign that, if present, might have helped to point towards the correct diagnosis. We suggest that maternal PKU should be suspected where there is sibling recurrence of cognitive impairment, particularly where the mother was born before the initiation of the neonatal screening programme for PKU.
Recognising the importance of physical health in mental health and intellectual disability: achieving parity of outcomes
- Author:
- BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. Science and Education Department
- Publisher:
- British Medical Association
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 100
- Place of publication:
- London
This report outlines what needs to be done to support doctors and the medical profession in meeting the health needs of people with mental health problems and also those with intellectual disabilities and tackling health inequalities. It sets out a range of core actions to ensure that each patient receives ‘whole person’ care. The report defines mental health, intellectual disability and physical health and looks at current prevalence in the UK. It then examines the relationship between mental health, intellectual disabilities and physical health the mechanisms of co-morbidity ; the barriers people with learning disabilities and mental health problems experience when accessing health services and the importance of promoting parity of esteem between mental health, intellectual disability, and physical health. The conclusion sets out steps that need to be taken in the following key areas: promoting prevention and early intervention strategies; delivering ‘joined-up’ care; enhancing training and workforce planning; encouraging a greater research focus on mental-physical multi-morbidity. (Original abstract)