People with intellectual disabilities

doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7463.414

BMJ 2004;329:414-415 (21 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7463.414

Editorial

People with intellectual disabilities

Their health needs differ and need to be recognised and met

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

People with intellectual disabilities comprise about 2% of theUK population. Demographics are, however, changing and the populationof people with intellectual disabilities increased by 53% overthe 35 year period 1960-95, which equals 1.2% per year.¹ A further11% increase is projected for the 10 year period 1998-2008.These changes are the result of improved socioeconomic conditions,intensive neonatal care, and increasing survival. The healthneeds of people with intellectual disabilities have an impacton primary healthcare services and all secondary healthcarespecialties.

People with intellectual disabilities experience health inequalitiescompared with the general population. Although their life expectancyis increasing, it remains much lower than for the rest of thepopulation.^2-5 The standardised mortality ratio has been foundto be 8.4 for people with severe intellectual disabilities inUnited States and 4.9 for people with intellectual disabilitiesof all levels in Australia.^4
5 Additionally, people with intellectualdisabilities have . . . [Full text of this article]

Sally-Ann Cooper, professor of learning disabilities

(SACooper@clinmed.gla.ac.uk), Section of Psychological Medicine, Division of Community Based Sciences, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow G12 0XH

Craig Melville, senior lecturer in learning disabilities

(cam13h@clinmed.gla.ac.uk), Section of Psychological Medicine, Division of Community Based Sciences, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow G12 0XH

Jillian Morrison, professor of general practice

(jmm4y@clinmed.gla.ac.uk) Section of General Practice, Division of Community Based Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 9LX

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