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P4HE aims to keep the public health equity field growing and thriving by sharing a broad range of ideas and perspectives from Collaborative member and experts.
Monthly Featured Topic: Centering the perspectives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in health equity
A scoping review of health research with racially/ethnically minoritized adults
Living with intersectional identities, having a disability, and being a member of a racial or ethnic minoritized group in the U.S., contributes to marginalization that may result in health disparities and health inequities. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe health research regarding adult racial/ethnic minoritized individuals in the U.S with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Results of this scoping review highlight the need for research that incorporates intentional inclusion of racial/ethnic minoritized people with I/DD and include novel methodologies that allow for the contributions of historically marginalized voices. Future research with an intersectionality approach is recommended to promote equity.
Achieving health equity for populations with intellectual and developmental disabilities
There are numerous health inequities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). They experience lower rates of preventive screening; higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease; lower life expectancy; and higher rates of pregnancy complications. What is driving these disparities? There are a number of contributing factors, including unconscious bias against people with disabilities, physical access barriers, and inequities due to unmet social determinants of health, to name a few. But there is one area where health care policy makers and leaders can have an immediate impact for the 10 to 16 million people with IDD in the US. That is: by educating the health care workforce to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Advancing health equity for populations with intellectual disabilities: A systemic review
People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) experience extensive health disparities, including premature mortality and higher incidence of chronic disease. These inequities have been linked to reduced access to preventive health care for this population. We review the evidence as it relates to barriers and facilitators of effective implementation of health checks and screenings for people with IDs. We conducted our review according to the PRISMA guidelines. We systematically searched seven academic databases for articles on barriers and facilitators of health check implementation for people with IDs. We discuss our results and potential solutions for better, more effective implementation of health checks and screenings for people with IDs.
Community Voices
You don’t need a big idea to get started to make a change in the community. I think just going to a community event [or] a listening session - just to hear people talk about their lives and lived experience - that’s where it starts. From there, you identify where you can help.
- Adam C. Alexander, Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center