Objectives
To comprehensively analyse the life expectancy at birth of people with intellectual disability, including people with Down syndrome, to inform health equity and service planning.
Design
Retrospective cohort study.
Setting
Residents of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, with intellectual disability from birth onwards between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2018.
Participants
Our study sample comprised 100 089 individuals with intellectual disability in the dataset, spanning from birth onwards, between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2018.
Main outcome measures
All cause mortality. Life expectancy was estimated using ordinary and abridged life table methods, based on age-specific population count, and compared with the general NSW population.
Results
Life expectancy at birth of people with intellectual disability was 67 years, 16 years shorter than the NSW average. Males and females with intellectual disability had a similar life expectancy. Individuals with Down syndrome had a life expectancy of 54 years, significantly shorter than those without Down syndrome. The life expectancy gap for people with intellectual disability narrowed with increasing age.
Conclusion
People with intellectual disability in Australia experience a substantial life expectancy gap, with greater disparities for those with Down syndrome. These findings underscore the need for targeted health and social interventions to address systemic inequities and improve health outcomes across the lifespan.
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