Health & Intellectual Disability

  "As with other populations, health promotion and disease prevention are multifactorial for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). They need to be empowered with adequate and understandable information and reinforcement to avoid health risks and maintain healthy personal habits. Their health care providers and the environments where they live, work, learn, and socialize should offer opportunities to inform, support, and reinforce healthy lifestyles. Routine preventive services, from periodic oral prophylaxis and restoration, to cancer screening, immunizations, and early intervention with emerging mental illness are critical to prevention of more serious conditions and secondary disability. Because of the potential for modeling behaviors, health-promoting knowledge and habits of personal care attendants and family members, co-workers, and others can help individuals with MR to protect and maintain their health." ~ Closing the Gap: A National Blueprint to Improve the Health of Persons with Mental Retardation: Report of the Surgeon General's Conference on Health Disparities and Mental Retardation  

Health Programs for Persons with I/DD:

Improving Local Information and Referral Services with Persons with IDD Have Healthy Teeth Menu AIDDS The Wellness Club Women Be Healthy ABLE Account (webinar)