Ableism at the Bedside: People with Intellectual Disabilities and COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) exhibit disproportionately higher mortality rates from COVID-19 compared to the general population.
• This increased risk persists even after accounting for the impact of comorbidities, suggesting other contributing factors.
• Existing policies and medical practices may inadvertently exacerbate health disparities for this vulnerable group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the underlying causes of elevated COVID-19 mortality among individuals with IDD.
• To examine the role of ableism and provider bias in shaping healthcare access and outcomes for people with IDD.
• To propose actionable recommendations for mitigating these disparities and improving care.

Main Methods:

• Review of current healthcare policies and practices affecting individuals with IDD.
• Analysis of the impact of provider bias and ableism on medical care delivery.
• Identification of modifiable factors contributing to adverse COVID-19 outcomes.

Main Results:

• Pervasive ableism within the medical field contributes to variations in care options and quality for individuals with IDD.
• Medical bias can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, leading to poorer health outcomes.
• Disparities in mortality are not solely explained by comorbidities but are significantly influenced by systemic biases.

Conclusions:

• Addressing ableism in healthcare is crucial to reducing COVID-19 mortality among people with IDD.
• Implementing targeted strategies to combat bias and improve care access is essential.
• Primary care physicians play a vital role as advocates in ensuring equitable treatment and outcomes.