Access to effective primary healthcare for adults with intellectual disability

People with intellectual disability experience disproportionately poor health, including more than double the rate of avoidable deaths, twice the rate of emergency department and hospital admissions, substantially higher rates of physical and mental health conditions, and reduced access to preventative care. The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has revealed systemic discrimination within Australia’s health system, underscoring the nation’s obligations under Article 25 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to ensure equitable health access.