Health Promotion

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) have high rates of chronic health conditions and poor overall health compared to their peers without disabilities. Health risk behaviors contribute to poor health outcomes and include lack of physical activity, less than ideal diets, and unhealthy weight. On one hand, people with disabilities have the same needs for health promotion as people without disabilities. On the other hand, people with ID/DD may have unique risks and barriers that should be taken into consideration. This entry reviews these health risks and explores opportunities to promote the health of people with ID/DD.

Definition of Health Promotion

Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health. Health promotion strategies include public policy efforts that ...

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