Suchergebnisse

AbstractThe Italian healthcare system is public and freely available to the population. With a few exceptions, there are no distinctions between the healthcare services and practices (e.g., primary care) designed for the general population and those for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Prevalence data on adults with IDD are lacking and most disability policies and resources are designed for people with disabilities broadly defined, without specification based on disability type or severity level. Recent legislation provides specific supports for individuals with severe disabilities or autism spectrum disorder. This paper describes the legislation and health policies developed for people with disabilities, the organization of the Italian healthcare system, and the organization of disability support services and healthcare services. Strengths (e.g., availability of many financial resources, adoption of biopsychosocial approach to disability, presence of innovative projects to address the healthcare needs of people with IDD) and weaknesses (e.g., lack of distinction among disability types, territorial differences, lack of disability training of healthcare providers) of the current healthcare practices are reported and discussed.

AbstractHealth represents the dynamic balance of physical, mental, social, and existential well‐being in adapting to conditions of life and the environment. Health is essential for the quality of life (QoL) of all individuals, including those with intellectual disability (ID). People with ID experience health inequities and barriers to quality health care that must be addressed to foster the QoL of this population. This paper illustrates how poor health negatively impacts each of the eight domains of the QoL model proposed by Shalock and Verdugo (2002) (e.g., health conditions limit work performance, decreasing opportunities for personal development and self‐determination). Suggestions for healthcare practices and behaviors that would improve the quality of healthcare provided to people with ID, and thus their health and QoL, are offered (e.g., engaging people with ID in the medical conversation, talking to them in plain language and without jargon enhances the personal development, self‐determination, interpersonal relationships, and social inclusion domains of QoL). Finally, we suggest actions that people with ID and their families might implement to maximize their health and wellness (e.g., maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and using the health promotion resources provided by disability organizations).