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 […]
As a member, AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) thanking Congress for reauthorizing the SUPPORT Act, community-based programs focused on opioids and SUD and including persons with co-occurring mental illness. The October 16 MHLG letter is here: PDF. […]
We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability. Every year this award recognizes students with disabilities who are working to advance the broad field of disability and health. Meet our 2025 Scholars Dishita Agarwal (she/her) is a sophomore at Duke University studying Neuroscience, Public Policy, […]
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 355 organizations, led by the Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC) and Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), asking Congress to legislatively extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and repeal the Reconciliation Act (HR 1) health care provisions. Also see our web public policy updates: September 25 […]
AAHD, as a Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) member, has joined MHLG members writing Congress requesting a two year legislative extension of Medicare telehealth services. Also see August 12 public policy web posting where AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation joined 350 organizations led by the Alliance for Connected Care asking for legislative extension of Medicare […]
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 […]