Prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in Medicare-enrolled, autistic older adults

Lay abstract Relatively little is known about the health needs of autistic adults who are 65 years of age or older. Our study is the first, to our knowledge, to use United States national data to compare physical and mental health conditions in autistic older adults with a population comparison group. Nearly all physical and mental health conditions were significantly more common among autistic older adults. In addition, health conditions commonly associated with advanced age in the general population (such as osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, heart disease, cancer, osteoarthritis) were significantly more common among autistic older adults. It is important to note that the sample of autistic older adults included in this study (who were all born before the year 1950) were likely diagnosed using different criteria and may not have had access to evidence-based supports and services early in life. As such, our findings may or may not be predictive of the outcomes of future generations of autistic older adults. Nevertheless, the results of this study can inform healthcare systems, healthcare providers, and public health initiatives seeking to promote well-being among autistic older adults living in the United States today.