Progress in closing the gap has varied widely by type of disability: the difference in age at death between adults with and without intellectual disability has closed by only a few months, but by 1.4 years between adults with and without Down’s syndrome and by 2.1 years between adults with and without cerebral palsy.
But the disparities remain large, with adults with intellectual disabilities living 12 years less than other adults, those with Down’s syndrome living 18 years less, and those with cerebral palsy living 23 years less.
These findings suggest that the gap in average age at death could be narrowed further or even eliminated, Landes argues. “We need to better understand to what extent the remaining gaps can be closed, and whether this varies by type of disability.”
Adults with intellectual disabilities at increased risk of death from COVID-19
Adults with IDD, especially those living in residential care facilities, were more likely to die from COVID-19 than the general population. Among adults diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020, adults with IDD were 2.6 times more likely to die than adults without IDD, based on data from 11 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.2 COVID-19 mortality rates were consistently higher among individuals with IDD who lived in congregate living settings (e.g., group homes) and received 24/7 care services.3
Like other adults, people with IDD are more likely to die from COVID-19 if they are older or have underlying conditions such as heart disease, cancer, or chronic kidney disease.4 Landes cited 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 illnesses), the health care inequities they face, and the fact that they are more likely to live in congregate settings and require in-person personal and medical care where social distancing is not possible.
People with IDD live longer in certain parts of the U.S.
Adults with IDD tend to live longer in Midwestern and Northeastern states and have a lower average age at death 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
Source: 2017 U.S. Multiple Cause Mortality File, National Vital Statistics System.