Annual Evidence Update on the Health Needs of People with Learning Disabilities: 30 June - 4 July 2008

An update of the evidence on this topic from the NLH Learning Disabilities Specialist Library.

People with learning disabilities have a higher level of health needs than the general population, many of which are unmet. The Learning Disability Health Needs Annual Evidence Update provides bibliographies of published research for some key health issues:

* Cancer
* Coronary heart disease
* Epilepsy
* Challenging behaviour
* Respiratory illness

We know that many people with learning disabilities do not to seek out support from the healthcare system unaided, and that healthcare issues can remain undiagnosed or untreated. Healthcare professionals in primary care have infrequent contact with people with learning disabilities, and few have had specific training, although the requirement to offer Health Action Planning to people with learning disabilities to help identify healthcare needs should improve outcomes.

Please promote the health needs site across your networks: http://www.library.nhs.uk/learningdisabilities