Improving the general health of people with learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities suffer an increase in common morbidity, communication difficulties, a high prevalence of serious conditions such as epilepsy, and specific patterns of health needs associated with the aetiology of their disability. Unfortunately, this combination of need is mirrored by a consistent picture of poor health promotion uptake, inadequate care for serious morbidity, unrecognised health need and poor access to health care. Consequently, there is a great disparity between the health of learning-disabled people and that of the general population. Psychiatrists can address this disparity in clinical practice by focusing on these patients' mental health, epilepsy management and the impact of behaviour on health. They can also influence health planning and service development.