Disease Epidemiology and Aging People with Intellectual Disabilities

Various conceptional dimensions of aging are relevant for epidemiological research on health issues for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). In a review of the literature results of mortality and morbidity studies are documented and discussed regarding the actual health status of elderly adults with ID. Most of these studies are based on indirect assessments with several sources for detection bias. As a consequence, health problems are systematically undocumented and underreported for this target group and affect the effectiveness and adequacy of health service delivery. Direct assessment procedures and methods in epidemiological research are suggested as one means to improve research used to support health care planning. Such a methodological target can be combined with the more important goal on service level of finding and helping persons with unrecognized treatable conditions.