Advancing Equity for People with İntellectual Disabilities: Closing The Neglected Cancer Policy Gap

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This public health concern not only extends to the general population but also, more urgently, to underserved and marginalised populations . These populations include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (defined by significant limitations in adaptive functioning and learning skills originating in the developmental period) who represent a particularly high-risk and underserved group across the cancer care continuum. Although life expectancy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has increased substantially in recent decades they continue to experience significant inequities across the health and social care sphere Despite increased recognition of these inequities, inclusion in cancer policy across Europe and globally remains markedly absent for this population.