Place of Residence and Preventive Health Care for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services Recipients in 20 States

Abstract

Objective. We identified trends in the receipt of preventive health care by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by type of residential setting. Methods. We used data from the 2008–2009 collection round of the National Core Indicators (NCI) program. Participating states drew random samples of adults receiving developmental disabilities services. The study was observational, with both self-report and report by proxy. Once the random samples were drawn in each state, data were collected using the NCI Adult Consumer Survey. Trained interviewers administered the survey in person. Results. The likelihood of a person receiving preventive care procedures was related to age, level of intellectual disability, mobility, health status, and state. Type of living arrangement also affected whether a person received these health services, even after controlling for state, level of disability, and other personal characteristics. In general, people living with parents or relatives were consistently the least likely to receive preventive health exams and procedures. Conclusion. With growing numbers of adults being served in the family home, educational and policy-based efforts to ensure access to preventive care are increasingly critical.