Editorial: The case for more action and more research into healthcare provision and health inequalities for people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Accessible SummariesAge, Sex, and Constitutional Factors Whittle et al. identify how sex impacts mental health service use for women with intellectual disability. Sheerin et al. highlight how age‐specific needs are unmet due to service gaps. Burke et al. identify how age‐related healthcare risks for bone health are different for people with intellectual disability.Living and Working Conditions van den Bemd et al. reported the recording of management of long‐term conditions for patients with intellectual disabilities in long‐term care appears suboptimal. Skoss et al. report on the infrastructure of group home settings in Australia and how after COVID‐19 people living in these settings receive fewer healthcare services.Individual Lifestyle Factors Lunsky et al. explored the use of a ‘check‐in tool’ to support people with intellectual disability proactively.Community and Social Networks Donaldson et al. and Karas et al. highlight systemic issues with eyecare and examine the impact of peer‐to‐peer support and community advocacy on improving access to eye care. Schormans et al. examine the lack of social and community support for homeless youth with intellectual disability. Sykes et al. highlight reasonable adjustments and influence of community and familial attitudes in influencing breast and cervical cancer screening access. Earle et al. detail how broader societal and cultural norms affect menstrual health support. Heslop and Lauer found limited evidence about preventing specific avoidable causes of death in people with intellectual disability and outline the need for ‘whole population’ policy changes. Iffland et al. found that lung infections, choking, flu and heart problems were much more likely to be a contributing cause of deaths for people with intellectual disability. Hatton et al. explore the impact of COVID‐19 on access to health services and highlight severe disruptions during the pandemic which persisted and worsened postpandemic. Beeken et al. detail how stakeholder engagement in research and policymaking can improve health and address health inequalities.