Study: adults with developmental disabilities face more health problems but are less likely to get care
New information about how people with developmental disabilities in Ontario need and use health services is now available. A summary version of the Atlas on the Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario is now available from the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences. While the full version of the resource will be available in December, the summary provides a wealth of information. The Atlas’ goals include:
- Providing prevalence estimates, demographic information and information about health status of adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario
- Examining their health care utilization
- Assessing consistency of care with primary care guidelines.
Key findings of the report include:
- In 2009/10, there were more than 66,000 adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario
- Despite comparable access to primary care, adults with developmental disabilities were more likely to use Emergency Department services and to be hospitalized
- Nearly half of all adults with developmental disabilities were dispensed multiple medications at one time, with over a fifth receiving 5 or more
- The most commonly prescribed medications were for behavioural or mental health-related issues, and antipsychotic medications were the most frequently prescribed.
For more information, the summary document can be viewed at the CAMH Knowledge Exchange website.