This International Nurses Day 2021, we are keen to bring together two global challenges for Nurses working with people with learning / intellectual disabilities. 

Global evidence continues to present a picture where the health inequities experienced by people with learning/intellectual disabilities has a significant impact on health outcomes. In the UK, government reports indicate that people who have a learning disability are up to six times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the general population (Johnson, 2021). A cross sectional study of more than 60 million patients from 547 US health organizations revealed that having an intellectual disability was the strongest independent risk factor for having a COVID-19 diagnosis, and the strongest risk factor aside from age for COVID-19 mortality (Gleason et al., 2021). 

The World Health Organisation recent publication seeks to strengthen Nursing and Midwifery across the world over the next four years in four specific areas:-

This focus provides an opportune moment for Nurses working with people with learning/intellectual disabilities to work together on an international approach to mitigate these health inequities. 

One such research project that is reaching out to Nurses across the world is run by US-based Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association to identify challenges nurses face in meeting the care needs of people with learning/intellectual disability and other developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic (Desroches et al., 2021). 

Results revealed numerous challenges ranging from the individual level to the policy level. Highlights of these findings include: 

One overall key theme that emerged is the underutilization and lack of recognition of the importance of the Learning / Intellectual Disability nurse to promote and protect the health of people with learning disabilities.

A further international survey about the challenges experienced by learning disability nurses meeting the care needs of people with learning disability during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more or determine if you are eligible to participate please visit this link: COVIDD study.

This WeLDNurses / International Nurses Day conversation is an apposite to be exploring these health inequities with colleagues across the world and to be consider opportunities and solutions that may be available through working together. 

References

Constantino, J.N., Sahin, M., Piven, J.,Rodgers, R., & Tschida, J. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Clinical and Scientific Priorities. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20060780

Desroches, M.L., Ailey, S., Fisher, K.,& Stych, J. (2021). Impact of COVID-19: Nursing challenges to meeting the care needs of people with developmental disabilities. Disability and Health,14, 101015. 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.101015

Gleason, J., Ross, W., Fossi, A., Blonsky, H., Tobias,J., & Stephens, M. (2021). The devastating impact of COVID-19 on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States. NEJM Catalyst, 10.1056/CAT.21.0051.

Iro, E & McCarthy, C (2020) The Draft WHO Global Strategic Directions for Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery 2021-2025. Available online at https://www.campusvirtualsp.org/sites/default/files/7._sdnm_for_paho_01_december_2020_carey_mccarthy.pdf Last accessed 1-5-21.

Johnson, W. (2021). Why is there such bias in health care against service users? Government research on COVID-19 deaths reveals a shocking statistic. Learning Disability Practice, 9-9.