Inclusive health

Everyone should have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health, without discrimination

This is described in Article 25 (Health) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The World Health Organization also recognises the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health as one of the fundamental rights of every human being.

The challenge

There is a pressing need to address the global disparity in services and facilities in healthcare for people with Down syndrome.

Many do not receive the quality of healthcare required to be able to lead full, healthy lives.

Negative attitudes, diagnostic overshadowing, a lack of basic information on related health conditions and a lack of good communication, combine to deliver poor health outcomes for many.

What is inclusive health?

Every person should have access to the highest attainable standard of healthcare provision where they live.

For people with Down syndrome, this can be realised if:

any health diagnosis is based on what is presented, without any bias or discrimination;
the right health surveillance or treatments take place when they are required and
people are supported to understand their healthcare needs and make their own choices.

This is what we would expect for any person.

What we are describing here is an inclusive health system, one which will deliver better outcomes

What we are doing

Project focus - Cardiac consensus statement

WHEN - 2021-2022
WHO WITH - With international clinical experts on cardiac disease and other key stakeholders.
WHAT IS HAPPENING - An up-to-date review and expert consensus document on cardiac disease in Down syndrome to be shared with health professionals worldwide.

LEARN ABOUT CARDIAC STATEMENT

Project focus - COVID-19 vaccination prioritisation

WHEN - 2021
WHO WITH - Our members and international disability partners.
WHAT IS HAPPENING - A campaign to ensure prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccination for people with Down syndrome, who have been left behind in the COVID-19 response.

LEARN ABOUT VACCINATION CAMPAIGN

What is next?

We are learning all the time from our current and previous projects. In health, we are planning advocacy, training and the production of basic health resources to combat discrimination and poor health treatment and outcomes for people with Down syndrome, something which is built into systems around the world.