Bridging the equity gap: health promotion for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Health status is influenced by political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioral and biological conditions. Health promotion strategies can bridge the equity gap by advocating for policies to decrease inequities among marginalized groups, such as adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). These strategies can target actions that address critical determinants of health status. The benefits of health promotion for adults with I/DD as well as the determinants of the health status of adults with I/DD are delineated in this article in order to provide a framework for health promotion activities. This article also examines the challenges in providing health promotion programs and provides strategies that nurses can use to implement programs.