Growing Health Concern for People with Disabilities

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society would like to draw attention to a growing concern among health care providers about the impact of H1N1 flu virus on children and adults with developmental and other disabilities. This is not meant to scare or create apprehension about an already overwhelming issue, but is simply meant to raise awareness in two areas.  The first area of this article discusses the impact of the H1N1 flu virus on children with developmental and other disabilities.  The second area is the impact of the flu on on staff who are providing support to individuals with developmental disabilities.  Lastly the article discusses recommendations for flu prevention.

Area #1

Impact of H1N1 flu virus on children with developmental and other disabilities. While most accounts of the impact of H1N1 describe its generally mild effects in the majority of individuals who contract it, the implications for children with developmental and other disabilities appears very different. A recent report from the United States indicates that of the 67% of children who died from complications arising from this flu (in the U.S.) had significant pre-existing health conditions and 92% of these children had developmental disabilities. So as not to alarm anyone the numbers of children affected to-date are small.

While it is impossible to ensure children and adults with developmental disabilities avoid the flu, CDSS wants to encourage families and friends to take every possible precaution and preventative action (it would be helpful for those close to or caring for a child or adult with developmental disabilities to also get flu shots as soon as possible to prevent the possible transmission of the flu to vulnerable individuals). It is important that those with a heightened vulnerability get flu shots and anti-viral treatment, if sick, as soon as possible.


In particular, one worry is that when the pandemic is at its height it might tax our healthcare system and in particular Intensive Care Units and other possible medical interventions (i.e., ventilators). We want to be sure that the rights of children and individuals with developmental and other disabilities to equitable access to the health care system is not compromised. There is enough historical and present evidence of children and adults with disabilities being denied access to needed healthcare to warrant concern.

While The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), and the Canadian Down Sydnrome Society (CDSS) work to ensure health care policies and practices reflect equality and equity, there is no guarantee these assurances will always be translated into practice.

Area #2

A second issue is the possible effect of the flu on staff who are providing support to individuals with developmental disabilities. While many agencies may have access to a list of relief staff or a pool of staff to turn to when personnel are ill and unable to work, the same is not typically true for families who hire their own staff and sometimes rely exclusively on one or two key individuals.

We would like to thank AACL and CACL for bringing this important issue to our attention.

Further ideas to think about while trying to prevent the spread of infection:

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.