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 Disabilities

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