An evaluation was conducted to compare the impact of an 8-week cardiovascular disease risk reduction group teaching program for 92 individuals with mental retardation (MR; IQ less than 70) and 97 normal learners. The curriculum emphasized exercise, nutritional choices, and stress reduction. Body Mass Index (BMI; weight in kilograms, divided by height in meters, squared), […]
In this project, researchers examined access to health care by individuals with developmental disabilities in Kansas from low-income populations and from minority backgrounds (i.e., African American, Hispanic, and American Indian). Four criteria for determining access were: availability, accessibility, affordability, and appropriateness of care. Factors that pose barriers and facilitate access are described and recommendations are […]
Health is influenced by political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioral and biological conditions—either positively or negatively. Health promotion aims to make these factors more favorable through health advocacy. Advocating for physical, mental, and social health requires that individuals with I/DD have opportunities to identify and realize their aspirations, develop the capacity to satisfy their needs, […]
Purpose: To provide a review of the health problems of women with severe mental illness (SMI) that are related to their psychiatric disorders and disabilities, prolonged use of psychotropic medications, and high-risk lifestyle practices. Data Sources: Review of current literature uncovered through MEDLINE, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Psychological Abstracts as well […]
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 110 organizations led by the International Transformational Resilience Coalition (ITRC) supporting proposed legislation to create a new federal grant program to address mental wellness and toxic stress, emergencies, and disasters. Our colleague organization Mental Health America is one of the 110 supporters. Available here are: statement of need […]
Social drivers are critical in shaping health outcomes, maybe having a greater impact than medical care alone. Medicaid has been a leading source of funding for addressing social drivers of health. With deep cuts to Medicaid proposed by the recently passed reconciliation bill, we can assume that essential and already underfunded health programs are at […]
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined nine organizations, led by No Health without Mental Health (NHMH) and Association of Medicine and Psychiatry (AMP), advocating Medicare hospital payment policies to promote bidirectional behavioral health and whole-person health care. The letter also advocates a quality measure infrastructure development and advocates the role of peer specialists. AAHD […]
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), as a member, endorsing the COMPLETE Care Act – legislation incentivizing primary care to include integrated behavioral health care. The May 27 MHLG letter to Congress on S. 931 and HR 2509 is here: PDF. […]
What are the core areas that affect health and wellbeing for people with IDD? This study in the Disability & Health Journal draws on the knowledge of community members, caregivers, and clinicians. It identifies ways to support the health of this disability community. This plain language summary is part of a new series sharing highlights […]
During a time of tremendous change nationally, AAHD continues to advocate for the health of people with disabilities. We publish an annual list of Policy Priorities. In this ongoing blog series, we will dive deeper into our policy work for 2025. This post is being released as we’re seeing attempts to weaken and defund critical […]