Addressing health inequities: coronary heart disease training within learning disabilities services.

Accessible summary People with a learning disability have a special risk of developing certain problems with their health. Heart disease can also happen to people with a learning disability., We do not know how we should help people with a learning disability stay healthy and not develop heart disease., We trained staff using a programme designed to improve what they know about heart disease. This programme also helps staff learn ways to help people improve their health., After training, staff knew a lot more about heart disease and felt more confident about being able to improve the health of people with a learning disability., Summary People with learning disabilities are at increased risk of coronary heart disease ( CHD). Research suggests this may be due to inequalities in health status and inequities in the way health services respond to need. Little is known about the most effective way to improve health outcomes for people with learning disabilities. A previously developed CHD educational resource was piloted within residential community support organisations working closely with adults with complex learning disabilities. Following the training, improvements in knowledge of CHD-related topics were noted. Improvements were also seen in skills and confidence relating to working with others. Participant satisfaction with the training was demonstrated in terms of the acceptability and effectiveness of the training. Systematic training of this nature could lead to increased awareness of and attention to the cardiac health requirements of individuals, thereby improving the health outcomes, health literacy and ultimately self-management of people with learning disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]