Health needs of people with learning disabilities

The Health Needs of People with Learning Disabilities Annual Evidence Update has just been published by the National Library for Health Learning Disabilities Specialist Library.

People with learning disabilities have a higher level of health needs than the general population, many of which are unmet. This Annual Evidence Update provides bibliographies of published research for key health issues including cancer, coronary heart disease, epilepsy, challenging behaviour and respiratory illness. The Evidence Update is the latest in a series on various topics, and contains a search of research evidence over a 12 month period, user-friendly summaries written by relevant experts, and links to guidelines, secondary research and primary research.

The National Library for Health Learning Disabilities Specialist Library is produced by, among others, BILD, Social Care Institute for Excellence, Tizard Centre and the University of Lancaster.

Website targets health information at people with learning difficulties

Generate (a charity for people with mild to moderate learning difficulties) has collaborated with the Department of Health to launch Easyhealth.org.uk. The website contains health information from more than 50 organisations and was built to make it easier for people to find health information they can understand. The website is designed to be as easy to use as possible for all patients but particularly for those patients with lower reading skills/levels. Most of the information is free and can be downloaded immediately. The website can be found here.