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Mortality of People with Intellectual Disabilities in England: A Comparison of Data from Existing Sources
Author(s) -
Heslop Pauline,
Glover Gyles
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12192
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , confidentiality , population , gerontology , inequality , medicine , psychology , psychiatry , environmental health , political science , law , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Background At present, there is limited statistical information about mortality of people with intellectual disabilities in E ngland. This study explores the data that are currently available. Materials and methods Four recent sources of data about mortality of people with intellectual disabilities in E ngland are reviewed: the C onfidential I nquiry into P remature D eaths of P eople with intellectual disabilities ( CIPOLD ); the 2013 J oint H ealth and S ocial C are I ntellectual D isability S elf‐assessment E xercise; local registers of people with intellectual disability; and analysis of C ause of D eath certificates. Results Available data confirm that people with intellectual disability have a shorter lifespan and increased risk of early death when compared with the general population. The standardized mortality rate for people with intellectual disabilities is approximately twice that of the general population in E ngland, with little indication of any reduction in this over time. Conclusions Comprehensive data about mortality of people with intellectual disabilities that take account of the age and sex distribution of the population are currently lacking in E ngland. Existing data suggest persistent inequalities between people with intellectual disabilities and the general population. There is an urgent need for better monitoring mechanisms and actions to address these.