Progress in narrowing the gap varied considerably by type of disability. Disparity in age at death decreased by just a few months between adults with and without an intellectual disability; by 1.4 years between adults with and without Down syndrome; and by 2.1 years between adults with and without cerebral palsy. Show The disparity remains sizeable, however: Adults with intellectual disabilities lived 12 fewer years than other adults; with Down syndrome, 18 fewer years; and with cerebral palsy, 23 fewer years. These findings suggest that gaps in average age at death could be further reduced, or perhaps even eliminated, Landes argues. “We need to better understand how much of the remaining gap can be eliminated and whether the ability to do so varies by disability type.” Adults With IDD Face Elevated Risk of Death From COVID-19 Adults with IDD, especially those living in residential care settings, were more likely to die from COVID-19 than the general population. Among adults diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020, those with IDD were 2.6 times more likely to die than those without IDD, based on data from 11 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.2 COVID-19 death rates were consistently higher for people with IDD living in congregate residential settings (such as group homes) and receiving 24/7 nursing services.3 Like other adults, people with IDD were more likely to die from COVID-19 if they were older or had underlying conditions such as heart disease, cancer, or chronic kidney disease.4Landes highlights several other reasons adults with IDD may be more vulnerable to death from COVID-19, including a higher prevalence of pre-existing conditions (especially respiratory diseases); the health care inequities they face; and a higher likelihood of living in group settings or needing in-person personal or medical care that cannot be socially distanced. People With IDD Live Longer in Certain U.S. Regions Adults with IDD tend to live longer in Midwestern and Northeastern states, while their average ages at death tend to be lower in the South and Southwest (see Figure 2). Figure 2: Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Live Longer in Parts of the Midwest and Northeast
The age-at-death gap between adults with IDD and those without ranges from 25 years in Nevada and 24 years in Arizona to 15 years or less in Maine and the District of Columbia (see Figure 3). Eleven of the 15 states with the greatest age-at-death disparity (20 years or more) were western or southern states. In contrast, 10 of the 15 states with the smallest disparity (18 years or less) were in the Northeast or Midwest. Figure 3: The Age-at-Death Gap Varies Widely by State Between Adults With and Without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The wide differences among states suggest that adults with IDD may face uneven access to adequate health care and social support services depending on where they live, Landes states. Differences could also be driven by the varying prevalence of co-occurring conditions, such as diabetes and heart conditions, among people with IDD living in different parts of the country. Racial and Ethnic Minorities With IDD Face a Double Jeopardy A wide gap exists in average age at death between non-Hispanic white adults with IDD and their peers in other racial/ethnic groups (see Figure 4).5 Non-Hispanic white adults with IDD live nine years longer, on average, than Black and American Indian adults with IDD; 11 years longer than Asian or Pacific Islander adults with IDD; and 12 years longer than Hispanic/Latino adults with IDD. These racial/ethnic inequities are most pronounced among adults with cerebral palsy. Figure 4: White Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Live Longer Than Their Peers in Other Racial/Ethnic Groups
“It is imperative that efforts aimed at improving health outcomes among adults with intellectual and developmental disability take into account that racial/ethnic minorities with intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy are at greater risk of premature death than their white counterparts—a double-jeopardy that is most severe among adults with cerebral palsy,” Landes and colleagues write. Enabling Adults With IDD to Lead Longer Lives The wide variation in average age-at-death by state and the shrinking gap between adults with and without IDD suggest room for improvement exists, Landes argues. “Adults with IDD may die at younger ages, but we should not accept this trend as a fait accompli,” he says. “Evidence of rising age at death indicates that people with IDD could live longer with improvements in the quality of and access to health care. It should not be assumed that people with these lifelong disabilities are unhealthy.” Emphasizing that disability does not equal poor health, Landes points to a variety of policy and program changes that could improve longevity for adults with IDD:
For more detailed data on age at death among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit the IDD Age at Death Data Tracker at Syracuse University. What state has the best disability benefits?The 10 Best States for Disability Employment. Where do most adults with developmental disabilities live?Here are some of the most popular housing options for adults with special needs.. Living with Parents or Other Family Members. ... . Section 8 Housing. ... . Group Homes / Supportive Housing. ... . Assisted Living Facilities. ... . Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Homes) ... . Special Needs Trust Ownership of a Home / Payment of Rent.. Where is the best place to live with disabilities?Multiple Factors in Play to Determine Disability Friendliness. What state has the most special needs people?In 2020, the U.S. states with the highest share of the population that had a disability were West Virginia, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
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Percentage of people in the U.S. with a disability as of 2020, by state.. |