Healthcare services utilization among people with intellectual disability and comparison with the general population

Studies have reported unmet health needs in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). This study illustrated and analysed patterns of healthcare services utilization among people with intellectual disability and compared their use to that of the general population.

Participants (N = 791, aged 15-82) were mainly recruited through government-financed agencies specializing in services for people with intellectual disabilities in Québec, Canada. Comparisons were possible by using health administrative data.

Some services were more used by people with intellectual disability than the general population (general medicine, psychiatry, PSA blood tests), and others were accessed at significantly lower frequencies (optometry, physiotherapy, Pap tests). Similar rates were found for mammography, dentistry and psychology. Inequities were more salient for individuals who had more severe levels of intellectual disability.

Our findings support that the population with intellectual disability would benefit from policies and practices aimed at enhancing the access to healthcare services.