Health status and health risks of the "hidden majority" of adults with intellectual disability.
Adults with mild ID who avoid services smoke more and skip preventive care—screen them every time you meet.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Emerson (2011) surveyed adults with mild intellectual disability who live in the community. These are people who do not use day centers or group homes.
The team asked about smoking, doctor visits, and other health habits. They wanted to see if this "hidden majority" faces extra risks.
What they found
Adults who skip specialist services smoke more and see doctors less. They miss shots, dental checks, and cancer screens.
The study shows social factors like low income and poor housing add to the risk. In short, being outside the service system hurts health.
How this fits with other research
Poppes et al. (2010) also surveyed adults with ID and found good tools can spot sexual-risk behaviors. Both papers agree we must look beyond clinic walls to find need.
Kleinert et al. (2007) watched residents in facilities and saw staff miss nonvocal gestures. Emerson (2011) shows the same oversight happens in the community: people with mild ID are ignored until problems grow.
Together the trio tells one story: if we do not actively seek and teach these adults, their health and voice stay hidden.
Why it matters
Most BCBAs serve children, but adults with mild ID still need us. Add a five-question health screen to your intake: Do you smoke? When was your last doctor visit? Do you have a dentist? Who helps you with bills? Where do you live? If answers raise flags, hand the adult a plain-language reminder card and call a nurse partner. One extra minute can catch cancer early or start a quit-smoking plan.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Add four health-access questions to your intake form and review answers before session two.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
Little is known about the health status of and health risks faced by adults with intellectual disability who do not use intellectual disability services. Self-report data collected from 1,022 people with mild intellectual disability in England indicated that people who do not use intellectual disability services are more likely to smoke tobacco and less likely to access some health services and promotion activities than those who do use these services. In addition, they are more likely to be exposed to some known social determinants of poorer health (greater material hardship, greater neighborhood deprivation, reduced community, and social participation).
Intellectual and developmental disabilities, 2011 · doi:10.1352/1934-9556-49.3.155