The national report Learning from Lives and Deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) 2023 (accessible video and Easy Read version linked below) was officially released on 2nd September after a year’s delay. It analysed 3,556 deaths of adults with a learning disability in 2023.
Whilst it is positive that the proportion of avoidable deaths (under 75 years, due to treatable or preventable causes) dropped from 46% in 2021 to 39% in 2023, this remains nearly double the general population’s avoidable death rate (c.21%).
Over one-third of people’s care and treatment involved delays and almost the same number had diagnosis or treatment guideline lapses.
ARC England Director Sam Leonard states, “The report demonstrates that whilst premature deaths had decreased in 2023, there is still significant work to be done around addressing health inequalities for people with learning disabilities. We hope the development of neighbourhood health approaches will go some way to ensuring people get the right support when they need it and close to their homes.”
People from minority ethnic backgrounds died at a significantly younger median age: e.g., those of Asian or Asian British background had a median age of death of 43, versus much higher for White backgrounds.
Individuals with severe or profound learning disabilities also had a lower median age of death (57 vs. 64 years) and more often died from treatable conditions like pneumonia or seizures.
The report included data on autistic adults (without learning disabilities), highlighting the prominence of mental health concerns and the urgent need for better tailored support.
- LeDeR Report 2023 – Main Report
- LeDeR Report 2023 – Latest TakeHome facts (Infographic format)
- LeDeR Report 2023 – Easy Read Version
- LeDeR Report 2023 – Easy Video