Health Inequalities Experienced by People with Learning Disabilities: Problems and Possibilities in Primary Care

Abstract

It is well documented that the health of people with learning disabilities is worse in many ways than that of the rest of the population, and their lives are shorter. The article reports on the results of a wide and diverse research programme, including reviews of the relevant literature, consultation, area studies and an inquiry panel, designed to gather the most complete picture possible of these health inequalities and the aspects of health services that permit them. The areas covered are morbidity, access to services, diagnosis, health problems, health promotion, health checks and services for people from black and minority ethnic populations. Inequalities are found in all these areas, some arising from professional prejudice, some from inadequate responses to characteristics shown by learning‐disabled people and some from unidentified causes. The article concludes with a summary of the measures needed to rectify the situation.