Exploring health disparities among people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities: What are the issues and do race and ethnicity play a role?

Research and federal policy have recognized disparities in access to health care faced by individuals of different races and ethnicities. Studies have documented disparities in health care access, utilization, and outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).  However, the extent to which race and ethnicity influence health disparities in people who also have ID/DD, as well as the determinants of these disparities, are less well documented or understood.

This presentation will examine racial and ethnic healthcare disparities within national data, exploring trends in access, use, morbidity, and mortality. CDC disability and health data, as well as state level mortality data will be used to examine these disparities. Using data from the National Core Indicators surveys spanning several years, the presenters will examine racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare utilization among the population of individuals receiving ID/DD state services. The examination of these data will lead to discussion of root causes/social determinants of disparities for minority individuals with ID/DD, and suggestions for future policy and programmatic action.

The National Core Indicators (NCI) Program is a standardized and systematic approach to the measurement of outcomes of public ID/DD state service systems.  NCI aims to provide policy-makers, advocates and self-advocates with valid and reliable data that can serve as evidence for change. The NCI surveys collect demographic information, so they provide a unique opportunity to look at the health care experiences and outcomes of individuals with ID/DD of different races and ethnicities who utilize public services.