COVID-19 and Telehealth
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and exacerbated many health disparities experienced by adults with IDD and other disabilities. Additionally, telehealth availability and use has been increasing in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has grown exponentially during 2020-2021. Telehealth may provide both benefits and barriers to adults with IDD, however there are no evidence-based guidelines on how it should be designed, implemented or optimized for adults with IDD.
Our Research
Our research aimed to understand the experiences and perspectives of adults with IDD during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We hosted six focus groups (4 focus groups with adults with IDD and 2 focus groups with parents of adults with IDD) from February 2022 - July 2022. We asked research participants about their experiences with COVID-19 testing and vaccination. We also asked about how COVID-19 affected their healthcare, and inquired about their experiences receiving telehealth.
We are currently analyzing our results. We will include the link to the manuscript here once published.
Resources
- CDC
Talking to Patients who have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities about COVID-19
As a healthcare provider, you work hard to help your patients stay healthy and safe from COVID-19. When you’re talking with patients who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), it’s especially important to make sure your message is simple and clear. These tips can help you talk to patients with IDD about COVID-19.
- Disability and Health Journal
COVID-19 Mortality Burden and Comorbidity Patterns Among Decedents with and without Intellectual and Developmental Disability in the US
While there is ample evidence of increased COVID-19 mortality risk among people with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), research has not documented whether this higher risk resulted in increased COVID-19 mortality burden in the US or whether comorbidity patterns among COVID-19 deaths are similar or distinct for people with IDD. This study uses 2020 US death certificate data to compare COVID-19 mortality burden and comorbidity patterns among decedents with and without IDD.
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network
New accessible resources on changing COVID-19 guidance - Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The COVID-19 vaccines work really well. But their protection goes down over time. Your body forgets some things that the vaccine taught it. Then, your body isn’t as good at fighting COVID-19. But a booster shot or third dose can help! A booster shot is another dose of the vaccine.…
- Rolling Stone
Disabled Americans Feel Abandoned by CDC. Now, CDC Is Desperate to Make Amends
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky made a comment last week that enraged the disability community. But advocates say the agency has a habit of dismissing the most vulnerable
- AJMC
A Timeline of COVID-19 Developments in 2020
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) dominated 2020. This is a look back at how the pandemic evolved and progressed through the year, which closed with the arrival of vaccines, but also continued challenges.