Learning Disabilities

R1a – How does the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities compare with that of the general population who do not have learning disabilities?
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There is more chance of a person with learning disabilities being less health that someone who does not have a learning disability.   There are several reasons for this but it starts as a child and continues into adulthood for people with learning disabilities.   Children with learning disabilities have between 2.5 and 4.5 more chance of poorer health than children without learning disabilities.   In addition people with learning disabilities have a greater chance of dying younger and there is also a higher risk of early death.   Some conditions that cause learning disabilities are inherited and can result in ill health from birth.   Due to poor education and a lack of understanding, people with learning disabilities may live a less heathy lifestyle with a poor diet and less exercise that people without learning disabilities which will also contribute to ill health.   There is also a chance that someone with a learning disability will not get the same access to healthcare or regular health checks. |
1b – Outline what you understand by the rights based approach to accessing healthcare. |
A rights based approach to accessing healthcare is internationally recognised and means that everyone, regardless of personal circumstances or disability should have access to healthcare.   There are two important documents that back this up from the World Health Organisation (WHO) constitution stating that everyone has the “fundamental” human right to have the best standards of health.   In addition the Human Rights Act 1998 has two articles that also suggest this to be true with the right to life and the right to not be “subject to inhumane treatment” which directly links to the right to receive healthcare.   We also have the National Health Service which was founded in 1948 to provide free healthcare in UK.   Finally...