Prevention of unintentional injury to people with intellectual disability: a review of the evidence

Background Recent research evidence shows that people with intellectual disability (ID) have double the unintentional injury risk of the general population and the risk is further increased in the presence of psychopathology and epilepsy. The pattern of injury and the circumstances surrounding an injury event in those with ID have some similarity with that of young children in the general population. Interventions to prevent injuries are an important health priority in this vulnerable population. This paper reviews evidence from injury prevention studies for people with ID and also considers the relevance of general population injury interventions for this population. Method Information regarding injury prevention in both ID and general populations was identified using online systems and consultation with research and public health organizations. Results Few published studies were identified addressing the issue of injury prevention for those with ID. Possible injury prevention strategies appropriate for the major causes of injury in the ID population were identified from the general population literature. While many environmental injury prevention strategies for young children in the general population are applicable to the population with ID, some may require design modification to ensure effectiveness. Other promising approaches include improved information for parents/carers, primary care physician counselling, and home visits by well-informed and motivated professionals. There may be injury prevention benefit from improved management of psychopathology and epilepsy. Conclusions: The issue of injury prevention for those with ID has not been addressed to the extent that the magnitude of the problem requires. Injury prevention programmes trialling a variety of evidence-based approaches and strategies are needed to protect the quality of life for the ID population and their families.