A Scoping Review of Health Research with Racially/Ethnically Minoritized Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Authors

Heather J. Williamson, Northern Arizona UniversityFollow
Tara Chico-Jarillo, The University of ArizonaFollow
Samantha Sasse, Northern Arizona UniversityFollow
Leticia Rennie, Northern Arizona UniversityFollow
Jennifer R. Etcitty, Northern Arizona UniversityFollow
Carol L. Howe, The University of ArizonaFollow
Michele Sky Lee, Northern Arizona UniversityFollow
Julie S. Armin, The University of ArizonaFollow

Abstract

Living with intersectional identities, having a disability, and being a member of a racial or ethnic minoritized group in the U.S., contributes to marginalization that may result in health disparities and health inequities. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe health research regarding adult racial/ethnic minoritized individuals in the U.S with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Eight electronic databases were searched to identify literature on the topic published since 2000. Of the 5,229 records, 35 articles were included in the review. Eligible studies included research conducted in the U.S., published in English, and research focused on adults with I/DD with race and/or ethnicity information. The 35 articles included racial/ethnic minoritized individuals who were Black, Latinx/Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian. Twenty-nine of the 35 articles identified health disparities experienced by adults with I/DD from racial/ethnic minoritized groups. Many health disparities were demonstrated in the articles, where adult racial/ ethnic minoritized individuals with I/DD fared worse compared to White adults with I/DD. Additionally, four articles describe differences in health experiences by those from racial or ethnic minoritized backgrounds. Results of this scoping review highlight the need for research that incorporates intentional inclusion of racial/ethnic minoritized people with I/DD and include novel methodologies that allow for the contributions of historically marginalized voices. Future research with an intersectionality approach is recommended to promote equity.

Plain Language Summary

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experience worse health compared to their peers without disabilities. We do not know enough about the health of adults with I/DD in the U.S. who are also members of racial or ethnic minoritized groups. This research team reviewed existing health research studies about adults with I/DD from racial or ethnic minoritized groups in the U.S. Most studies found that adults with I/DD from racial or ethnic minoritized groups had different health experiences compared to their peers who were White. This research is important because we need to include people with I/DD who are also part of racial or ethnic minoritized groups in research to improve their health.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Williamson, Heather J.; Chico-Jarillo, Tara; Sasse, Samantha; Rennie, Leticia; Etcitty, Jennifer R.; Howe, Carol L.; Lee, Michele Sky; and Armin, Julie S. (2023) "A Scoping Review of Health Research with Racially/Ethnically Minoritized Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities," Developmental Disabilities Network Journal: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 14.
DOI: 10.59620/2694-1104.1082
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/ddnj/vol3/iss2/14