Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Down Syndrome International
  • Search
Donate
Global Contacts
Menu
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Our impact
    • Meet the team
      • Staff
      • Board of trustees
      • Volunteers
    • Our network
      • Global contacts
      • Our members
      • Member organisations
      • Committees
      • DSi Ambassadors
      • Advisors
      • Patrons
    • Our history
    • Annual reports
  • Down syndrome explained
    • What is Down syndrome?
    • New parents
    • Child health
    • Adult health
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Advocacy and human rights
    • Inclusive participation
    • Research
    • COVID-19
  • Key issues
    • Inclusive education
    • Inclusive employment
    • Inclusive health
    • Inclusive organisations
  • How we help
    • Types of project
    • Country based projects
    • Global projects
    • Current projects
      • Cardiac consensus document
      • COVID-19 response
      • Education guidelines
      • Employment advocacy
      • Inclusive Education: a pilot study in the UK
      • Listen Include Respect
      • Rwanda new organisation
      • World Down Syndrome Day
  • Support our work
    • Donate today
    • Support our Rwanda project
    • Fundraise
      • Fundraise for us
      • Set up Just Giving page
      • Request resources pack
      • Our fundraisers
      • Our fundraising events
    • Become a member
    • Volunteer
    • Share your story
    • Buy our LotsOfSocks
  • Latest
    • Global Support blog
    • World Down Syndrome Day blog
    • News
    • Events
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • inclusive-health
  1. Key issues
  2. Inclusive health

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.   


Related health news and events

#InclusionMeans - in health

#InclusionMeans - in health

Find out what we think inclusion means in health, and what it doesn't mean! Read more

Published: 18th March, 2022

Updated: 30th March, 2022

Author: Anna Sands

COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people with Down syndrome

COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people with Down syndrome

T21RS have published data from a survey of nearly 2000 vaccinated individuals with Down syndrome. Read more

Published: 22nd December, 2021

Updated: 20th February, 2022

Author: Anna Sands

WATCH - vaccine prioritisation webinars

WATCH - vaccine prioritisation webinars

We present the evidence supporting vaccine prioritisation for people with Down syndrome and the tools to advocate for it. Read more

Published: 5th August, 2021

Updated: 20th February, 2022

Author: Anna Sands

A dose of respect

A dose of respect

Brazilian Federation of Down syndrome Associations launches their campaign in search of prioritization of COVID-19 vaccinations for people with Down syndrome. Read more

Published: 19th July, 2021

Updated: 20th February, 2022

Author: Anna Sands

COVID-19 vaccination prioritisation

COVID-19 vaccination prioritisation

Our statement on priority, accessibility and inclusion of people with Down syndrome Read more

Published: 27th May, 2021

Updated: 20th February, 2022

Author: Anna Sands

COVID-19 advocacy in Africa

COVID-19 advocacy in Africa

Simon shares highlights of the self-advocacy activites taking place in Africa in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Published: 21st April, 2021

Updated: 20th February, 2022

Author: Simon Peter Okwii

Cardiac disease in Down Syndrome

Cardiac disease in Down Syndrome

Read about our work in the Journal of Congenital Cardiology. Read more

Published: 10th February, 2021

Updated: 20th February, 2022

Author: Helen Powell

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

DSi’s crucial work is needed now, more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic requires a specific and vital response by our community. Read more

Published: 21st July, 2020

Updated: 17th March, 2022

Author: Anna Sands

Guidelines for thyroid disorder in children and young people with Down syndrome

Guidelines for thyroid disorder in children and young people with Down syndrome

We have been involved in the development of these guidelines which we hope will improve the care and treatment of children and young people with Down syndrome. Read more

Published: 31st May, 2020

Updated: 2nd February, 2022

Author: Helen Powell

Good progress developing consensus document on cardiac disease

Good progress developing consensus document on cardiac disease

We are working with international experts on an up-to-date review and expert consensus document on cardiac disease in Down syndrome. Read more

Published: 26th May, 2020

Updated: 20th February, 2022

Author: Helen Powell

Back to top

Showing 10 of 10

Latest

  • Introducing Kami

    Introducing Kami

    Meet Kami - the world's first virtual influencer with Down syndrome, on a mission to revolutionise the digital world!

  • World Down Syndrome Congress 2024

    World Down Syndrome Congress 2024

    Down Syndrome Australia invites you to the 15th World Down Syndrome Congress in Brisbane. Register your interest today!

  • Universal Design for Learning

    Universal Design for Learning

    UDL helps teachers to address the needs of all students in the classroom at the same time!

  • The first official World Down Syndrome Day in Zambia

    The first official World Down Syndrome Day in Zambia

    For the first time in 2022, the Government of Zambia recognises World Down Syndrome Day as an official calendar day.

Most read

  • Myths and facts

    Myths and facts

    Being clear on myths associated with Down syndrome and compare them to the facts.

  • World Down Syndrome Day programme 2022

    World Down Syndrome Day programme 2022

    We have an exciting programme of webinars for you to join on World Down Syndrome Day as we ask what #InclusionMeans. Please join us and share the key messages from the events.

  • Use of terminology

    Use of terminology

    What to say and what not to say about Down syndrome.

  • Learning profile of a person with Down syndrome

  • Education Guidelines

    Education Guidelines

    Through our international guidelines and wider education activities, we are enabling people with Down syndrome to achieve their full potential.

  • World Down Syndrome Day

    World Down Syndrome Day

    21 March is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), the day that the Down syndrome community creates a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.

  • COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people with Down syndrome

    COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people with Down syndrome

    T21RS have published data from a survey of nearly 2000 vaccinated individuals with Down syndrome.

  • Down Syndrome International statement on Ukraine conflict

    Down Syndrome International statement on Ukraine conflict

    Down Syndrome International (DSi) is calling on all parties involved in the current conflict in Ukraine to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

  • Improve lives with your support!

    Improve lives with your support!

    We need your support to continue our work improving the lives of people with Down syndrome. Donate today.

  • What job do you do?

    What job do you do?

    We asked people with Down syndrome to tell us about their job.

Tag cloud

Adult Health Advocacy and human rights Child Health Education Employment New parents Research

DSi News Sign Up

Contact Us

Find us

Contact us at
Down Syndrome International
7-9 Chapel Street, Exmouth, Devon,
EX8 1HR, United Kingdom
+44 (0)1395 493108
[email protected]

Registered Office
Down Syndrome International
Langdon Down Centre, 2A Langdon
Park, Teddington, Middlesex, 
TW11 9PS, United Kingdom

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin

Copyright © 2020 Down Syndrome International.
UK Registered Charity no. 1091843.