INCLUSIVE HEALTH AND PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Our core argument is that an inclusive approach is required to maximise the health and well-being of persons with intellectual disabilities. For the individual, this means redefining health holistically and not as the absence of illness. Family carers and support staff need to work proactively with empowered individuals in pursuit of healthier lifestyles. Likewise at a national level, public health policy and health promotion strategies need to include the particular challenges faced by persons with disabilities if the latter are to fully share in achieving health gains. The chapter has four main sections. We consider: (1) how health is central to personal development and fulfillment; (2) recent evidence about health and intellectual disabilities, noting specifically findings from studies that have moved away from an over-reliance on biological health; and (3) the emerging interest in finding optimal ways to produce health gain. Finally, (4) we note promising strategies to pursue in the three domains of practice, policy, and research related to health and lifelong development of persons with intellectual disabilities. We conclude that the gains of an inclusive focus on health are for everyone.