RSS04.05 Intellectual Disability and Health: Reducing Inequity

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience significant health disparities that can be related to both biological and social determinants of health. While healthcare for people with ID used to be delivered through inpatient services, nowadays people with ID use mainstream health services more often. However people with ID are still often disadvantaged when attempting to access or secure adequate health services. In addition, people with ID may depend on support from their social environment to identify health problems and access services.

The following aspects pose different demands on health and care professionals, researchers and policy makers in order to reduce inequities, and are thus included as topics in the course:

1. understand the specific health needs of people with ID;
2. understand cognitive (in)accessibility of healthcare;
3. understand the role of the social environment in healthcare;
4. inclusive research skills;
5. interdisciplinary collaboration skills.

This course is designed for researchers and research oriented health professionals who have a specific interest in health and welI-being for persons with intellectual disabilities and want to learn more about their health needs, about intersectoral collaboration, and inclusive research. Master students of health and social sciences that want to explore a possible career in this field may also opt for this course.

Objectives and activities 
This course offers a concise introduction in ID health needs and how research and practice can help reduce inequities. We will discuss different healthcare systems for people with ID globally and share ideas on how we can improve healthcare for people with ID. We will use health related priority areas to represent the key topic of each day and you will gain state of the art in-depth knowledge from multidisciplinary and international experts.

You will gain inclusive research skills and insights to translate these knowledge and skills into your own research or practice. The course aims to include participants with and without a medical background from both the research field and daily practice to ensure cross pollination between these fields.

It also enables students in health and social sciences to broaden their horizon on a topic which is often not part of the curriculum. The course will enhance your interest in and engagement with ID by interactive teaching methods. The course will facilitate the acquisition of improved communication skills and habits, and provide you with access to international researchers and practitioners.