Publication: 'Positive Cardiometabolic Health for People with an Intellectual Disability: an early intervention framework' - international relevance
Positive Cardiometabolic Health for People with an Intellectual Disability: an early intervention framework
Authors: Julian Trollor, Carmela Salomon, Jackie Curtis, Andrew Watkins, Simon Rosenbaum, Katherine Samaras & Philip B. Ward, 2016.
Publishers:
The adult version of the Early Intervention Framework has been published by the Australian Journal of Primary Health, accessible here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY15130
The adult and adolescent versions of the Early Intervention Framework are available on the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN) at UNSW Australia, website: www.3dn.unsw.edu.au/positive-cardiometabolic-health-id
The Early Intervention Framework is free to download from the 3DN website
Summary
Internationally, people with an ID experience increased morbidity and mortality rates compared to the general population. Cardiometabolic illness is a major contributor to this health disparity. Cardiometabolic risk factors specific to people with an ID include higher rates of psychotropic medication prescription and polypharmacy and certain genetic syndromes associated with ID. To address this health gap, the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN) at UNSW Australia, with funding from Mental Health – Children and Young People, NSW Health, have developed Positive Cardiometabolic Health for People with an Intellectual Disability: an early intervention framework and resources.
The Early Intervention Framework has been adapted from a well-accepted, generalist monitoring framework to address the specific cardiometabolic health needs of people with an intellectual disability. It guides health professionals through cardiometabolic risk screening, provides intervention strategies tailored to people with an ID, identifies specific syndromes with altered cardiometabolic risk profiles, outlines monitoring schedules for people prescribed psychotropic medications, and links to accessible resources for clinicians, people with an ID and carers. Adolescent and adult versions of the Early Intervention Framework have been developed, which provide age-specific health targets and interventions. They are free to download from www.3dn.unsw.edu.au/positive-cardiometabolic-health-id
Postcards for people with an ID and carers have also been developed to support consumers to encourage their doctors to use the Early Intervention Framework. These postcards can be freely downloaded from the 3DN website, printed and brought to the doctor.
A peer-reviewed article has been published in the Australian Journal of Primary Health, which described the development process and main recommendations of the Early Intervention Framework. This article can be accessed here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY15130
The Early Intervention Framework can be used by health professionals from any country. However, it may also be suitable to adapt this resource to fit local programs and policies.
If you would like to discuss adaption of the Early Intervention Framework, please contact Julian Trollor: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
