People with learning disabilities, carers and care workers awareness of health risks and implications for primary care

Abstract

We demonstrated the feasibility of engaging with people with mild learning disabilities regarding health improvement. Participants recognized not only risks but also the subtle interplay of different factors, reflecting a grasp of the complexity of health promotion. Approaches within primary care to health improvement need to acknowledge this level of awareness.

Cancer prevention and health promotion for people with intellectual disabilities: an exploratory study of staff knowledge

“…She states that paid carers may not be aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and may misinterpret behavioural and physical changes that point to underlying health problems. Additionally, Young et al . (2007) argued that ‘proactive methods of supporting staff learning and development are urgently required’ among staff working with people with ID who may develop cancer.…”

“…She states that paid carers may not be aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and may misinterpret behavioural and physical changes that point to underlying health problems. Additionally, Young et al (2007) argued that 'proactive methods of supporting staff learning and development are urgently required' among staff working with people with ID who may develop cancer. Likewise, Tuffrey-Wijne et al (2005) also argued that there is a lack of information and training materials around cancer and palliative care for ID staff, and that more work is needed to develop appropriate training in this area.…”

The experiences and support needs of people with intellectual disabilities who identify as LGBT: A review of the literature

“…Policy makers worldwide have attempted to address some of the issues in policies, reports and best practice guides related to the equality and human rights agenda (Department of Health 2009a, Health Service Executive 2009Scottish Government 2013;World Health Organisation 2015). From a health perspective, people with ID experience a range of physical and mental health conditions that are more common than those experienced by the general population and requires access to health services (Kwok & Cheung 2007, Young et al 2007. Physical health conditions such as epilepsy, respiratory disorders, gastric disorders, sensory impairments, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are common, as is mental illness by way of anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and dementia (Emerson & Baines 2010;McCarron et al 2011).…”

Review of Interventions to Enhance the Health Communication of People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Communicative Health Literacy Perspective

“…There do appear to be areas of health knowledge, particularly relating to health promotion, where people with intellectual disabilities have reasonable knowledge and understanding (Young et al . ; Hale et al . ), yet they may lack the confidence or opportunity to act on this knowledge.…”

“…Wider health promotion research has struggled to establish the nature and degree of health knowledge that is either necessary or sufficient to influence health behaviours. There do appear to be areas of health knowledge, particularly relating to health promotion, where people with intellectual disabilities have reasonable knowledge and understanding (Young et al 2007;Hale et al 2011), yet they may lack the confidence or opportunity to act on this knowledge. More specifically, there is little research evidence that clarifies how much health knowledge patients need to allow effective health communication.…”