Health in People with Intellectual Disabilities: Current Knowledge and Gaps in Knowledge

Background  The health needs of people with intellectual disabilities have recently received increasing attention. Method  Based on a review of the 2003 literature, this paper presents an overview of our knowledge on physical, mental and social well‐being in this group. Results  Physical well‐being...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities 2005-12, Vol.18 (4), p.325-333
Main Author: van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk, Henny M. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to Health Care
Communication Disorders
Communication Problems
Developed Nations
Developing Nations
Disabilities
health
Health Needs
Intellectual disabilities
Life Style
Literature Reviews
Mental Health
Mental Retardation
overview
people with intellectual disability
Physical Health
Social Networks
Well Being
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Summary:Background  The health needs of people with intellectual disabilities have recently received increasing attention. Method  Based on a review of the 2003 literature, this paper presents an overview of our knowledge on physical, mental and social well‐being in this group. Results  Physical well‐being is threatened by handicap‐related conditions, syndrome‐related health problems and lifestyle characteristics. Conclusion  Gaps in knowledge include insufficient evidence on health disparities, the lack of comparability of data on the prevalence of ill heath, lack of expertise in relation to communication problems and the fact that all knowledge is based on research in developed countries, while people with intellectual disabilities in developing countries face the same or even greater health problems. Recommendations concerning evidence, education and empowerment are formulated.
ISSN:1360-2322
1468-3148
DOI:10.1111/j.1468-3148.2005.00265.x