A health risk is anything that increases the chances someone will get sick. These risks may include:

• Age
• Sex
• Individual health history
• Family health history
• Environment
• Individual behaviors

Health risks:

• Can be the same or different for men and women
• Are sometimes preventable

Preventable Risks

Preventable risks are things a person does or does not do that may cause them to get sick.

Studies have shown that people with developmental disabilities are more likely to have the following health risk factors:

• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity

People with developmental disabilities are also more likely than people without developmental disabilities to have the following chronic health conditions:

• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Asthma

Health is complicated and it can be difficult to say exactly why people get sick. However, these health conditions could all be related to the risk factors listed above.

You can help the individuals you support to change their health behaviors. For example, you can provide information about health risks so that people make better choices.

Health Risks You Cannot Prevent

Some health risks, such as a family history of illness, can’t be changed by behavior. However, knowing these health risks can help prevent illness. For instance, a person with a family history of heart disease can make sure they stay active and eat the right kinds of foods.

People with developmental disabilities may have trouble remembering their family history, and monitoring their own health. As a support person, you can support individuals by knowing their health and family history, and making sure they get all the health screenings they need.

Health Planning with the People You Support

You can help the people you support stay healthy by recognizing their health risks and making a plan for protecting them. The plan should have two main types of activities:

• Supporting healthy activities (protecting from preventable health risks)
• Supporting preventive health care (protecting them from both preventable and non-preventable health risks)

Additional Resources

• Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease. The American Heart Association outlines the major health risk factors connected to heart disease and heart attacks.
• Risk Factors and Obesity. Factors that may increase your risk of obesity.
• Preventative Health Screening Guidelines for Adults. A listing of preventative health screening by age.

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Health Risks Article