There has been a developing literature about the health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities, leading to a number of policy responses.

This literature review focused specifically on inequalities experienced by children and young people up to the age of 18, looking to synthesize evidence on the prevalence and determinants of health conditions and impairments. The authors systematically reviewed databases for studies relating to children and young people living in the United Kingdom.

They conclude from the review that there is an “increased prevalence of a number of health conditions and impairments among children with intellectual disability and evidence that these health inequalities are associated with several preventable environmental determinants.“

Health inequalities experienced by children and young people with intellectual disabilities A review of literature from the United Kingdom, Allerton L et al, in  Journal of Intellectual Disabilities,15,4, 269-278