ABSTRACT
In a population that does not communicate well (and contains people who do not complain), preventive healthcare and general screening for disease and relevant risk factors is more important than in people without disability (e.g. people with intel lectual disability will rarely request vaccination or the measurement of cholesterol levels, and support persons may be reluctant to suggest tests). Although people with intellectual disability drink alcohol and smoke less frequently than other people, the minority who do smoke or drink benefit from health education. General health screening (of cholesterol and glucose levels) and lifestyle advice should be more frequent than in the non-disabled population.
