Discovering and understanding under-served communities

People with learning (intellectual) disability

Around 1.5 million people (2% of the population in the UK) have a learning disability. A learning disability happens when a person's brain development is affected, either before they are born, during their birth or in early childhood. Conditions that are associated with having a learning disability include Cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, Autism and Epilepsy.

A learning disability includes the presence of:
  • reduced ability to understand new or complex information or learn a new skill
  • a reduced ability to cope independently

Reports suggest that people with learning disabilities, their families and carers can face ‘institutional discrimination’ in NHS health care services. This is due to a failure to understand medical needs. They also receive poorer care (e.g. fewer screening tests and health investigations).

  1. DH (2001) Valuing People: a new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century, Department of Health
  2. Emerson E and Baines S (2010) Health inequalities and people with learning disabilities in the UK, DH
  3. Jubraj B et al (2016) Pharmacy consultations with patients with learning disabilities The Pharmaceutical Journal; 296 (7885) online | DOI: 10.1211/PJ.2016.20200330
  4. Heslop P et al (2014) The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with intellectual disabilities in the UK: a population-based study, The Lancet 383 (9920): 889-95
  5. Mencap (2007) Death by Indifference. London, Mencap
  6. WHO (2012) Mental Health Definition: intellectual disability
Select which of the following statements are true or false?
As well as having a poorer quality of life, people with learning disabilities have a shorter life expectancy when compared to the general population; this is largely avoidable.
Correct - It is true - As well as having a poorer quality of life, people with learning disabilities have a shorter life expectancy when compared to the general population; this is largely avoidable.
Incorrect - It is true - As well as having a poorer quality of life, people with learning disabilities have a shorter life expectancy when compared to the general population; this is largely avoidable.
Men with learning disability die on average 6 years younger than men in the general population and women 10 years younger.
Incorrect - Men with a learning disability die on average 13 years younger than men in the general population and women 20 years younger!
Correct - It is false - Men with a learning disability die on average 13 years younger than men in the general population and women 20 years younger!
Simple steps to identify and better serve individuals with a learning disability

Please bullet point, in no more than 200 characters, reflect on ways you can better engage and interact with people with learning (intellectual) disability.