Mortality, predictors and causes among people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic narrative review...

There is a need to systematically compare and contrast mortality predictors and disparities in people with intellectual disabilities (ID) for global prevention strategy development.

Bibliographic databases and grey literature were searched using systematic review methodology and the machine learning tool "Abstrackr."

Fifty-four relevant articles and reports published from 2010 to 2019 were identified. Nearly all (n = 53) were from high-income countries. Mortality disparities were apparent and consistent across countries and publication years, with no evidence of a decrease over time. People with ID can still expect to live 12-23 years less than the general population and are particularly vulnerable to deaths from respiratory infections and epilepsy.

Both population and individual-level approaches to prevention are indicated to tackle the continuing mortality disparities in people with ID, including consideration of reasonable adjustments in general population efforts to reduce health inequalities.