Health & People with Disabilities
Good health is the foundation for a full and independent life—but for millions of people with disabilities, it’s often out of reach. People with disabilities are four times more likely to report poor health and face higher risks for chronic diseases, obesity, mental health conditions, and other health issues. For example, adults with disabilities are 2.3 times more likely to develop diabetes.
Why? Many factors make it harder for people with disabilities to stay healthy, including:
- Limited access to doctors and health professionals who understand their needs
- Trouble communicating with providers and getting information in accessible formats
- Bias and discrimination in medical settings
- A lack of wellness and prevention programs designed for people with disabilities
These barriers have serious consequences. One example: 30% of adults with disabilities did not get their annual flu shot, according to national data. This highlights gaps in preventive care that can put people at higher risk for illness.
The Arc is working to change this. We provide accessible health education and resources to help people with disabilities make informed choices. We also train health professionals to better serve people with disabilities and advocate for policies that improve access to care and wellness programs. Together, we can build a future where everyone has the support and resources they need for a healthy life.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Up to 40% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have co-occurring mental health conditions, and they are 3 times more likely to experience suicidal ideation. To address this, we’ve partnered with the United Health Foundation to help communities better support people with IDD through training, education, and resources. By offering Mental Health First Aid training to providers, caregivers, and family members, we’re creating safer, more supportive environments where people with disabilities receive the mental health care they need and deserve. Ten chapters of The Arc nationwide are participating in this project, bringing Mental Health First Aid to their communities and working to reduce stigma around mental health.
For people with IDD, getting quality and inclusive dental care can be a challenge. From difficulty finding the right provider to anxiety about dental visits, many face barriers that keep them from receiving the care they need.
We’re working to improve access through our Dental for All program, funded by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. This initiative focuses on raising awareness about the specific oral health needs of people with IDD and helping communities find better, more inclusive solutions for care.
We’re also encouraging local dental offices to host Dental Office Open Houses—events where people with IDD and their families can tour the office, explore the equipment, and ask questions in a relaxed setting. Open houses can play a crucial role in reducing fear and building confidence for people with IDD. If you’re a chapter of The Arc interested in encouraging local dental offices to host open houses, we’ve put together a toolkit to help you get started.
Strengthening Medicaid
Medicaid is more than just health insurance—it’s a critical lifeline for people with disabilities, providing essential services like therapies, home support, work assistance, and much more. For many individuals, Medicaid is key to living and working in their communities, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive. The Arc is deeply committed to protecting and strengthening Medicaid, advocating at the federal level to ensure this program continues to support people with disabilities and their families.
People with IDD need universal access to high-quality, affordable health care. While progress has been made, there’s more work to do. The Arc advocates with lawmakers and coalition partners to protect and expand health care access for people with IDD. We work to maintain the gains made by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), such as protections for pre-existing conditions, while pushing for policies to close remaining gaps in coverage. Our goal is a health care system where people with IDD can access the care they need to live healthy, independent lives.
The Arc offers a variety of resources to help people with IDD, their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers understand and address health disparities. Our tools and information support better health outcomes and ensure everyone has access to the resources they need.
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
