Chronic conditions or diseases are long-lasting health conditions. As defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases are those conditions, “that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.” Some examples of common chronic conditions that exist with those with disabilities based on the World Health Organization (WHO) include:
- Cardiovascular diseases (i.e., Stroke, Heart disease)
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Asthma
It has been reported that persons with disabilities are at twice the risk of developing these conditions compared with the non-disabled population and in general die up to 20 years earlier than those without disabilities.
Many of these chronic conditions are caused by risk factors such as:
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of physical activity
- Use of (or exposure to) tobacco
By avoiding these risk factors and following up with your health care provider to obtain good quality preventative health care from childhood into adulthood, anyone with a disability can improve their ability to stay well, feel good, and live longer and happy lives.
The Preventative Health Care Guidelines for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities put together by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) can provide guidance for health providers and families to ensure those with disabilities are well taken care of throughout their lifespan.
Author: Vincent Siasoco, MD, MBA
About the Author:
Dr. Siasoco is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician with over two decades of experience in providing comprehensive care to patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He holds diverse roles as a clinician, educator, executive, and advocate. He is the Medical Director of ADAPT Community Network (formally known as United Cerebral Palsy of New York City). He is an Assistant Professor a the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Director of Primary Care at the Rose F. Kennedy Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center at Montefiore Medical Center. He is the President of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry and a member of the Board of Directors at Mercy Home in Brooklyn, New York. He serves as Co-Chair for Cerebral Palsy State of New York’s Medical Director’s Council. He is a Special Olympics Clinical Director, Chair of the Special Olympics New York Health Advisory Council, and a member of the Special Olympics International Medical Advisory Committee. He also chairs the Medical Advisory Taskforce of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and serves as the Global Health Co-Editor of “Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality.” He completed his medical education at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and his residency in Family Medicine at St. Claire’s Hospital, New York.