Over half of adults with learning difficulties die before 65 in England, report finds

A stark report reveals that over half of adults with learning disabilities in England die before reaching the age of 65. This figure contrasts sharply with the 15% mortality rate before 65 in the general population. The Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR), commissioned by NHS England, analyzed deaths between 2021 and 2024, finding that individuals with learning disabilities die, on average, 19 years younger than their peers.

While the proportion of avoidable deaths resulting from treatable conditions like pneumonia or epilepsy has decreased from 46% in 2021 to 39% in 2024, this rate remains almost double that of the general adult population. These findings have been described as "stark" by the government, with learning disability groups emphasizing that "far too many people with a learning disability are still dying too young."

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The numbers in this report are not just numbers for us. This is very real to us. This is about people.

In response, the government has pledged "significant action" to improve care. Health minister Preet Kaur Gill stated that the report's statistics are "unacceptable" and that the government is "committed to improving outcomes" through early intervention and enhanced training for healthcare professionals. The aim is to improve the identification of individuals with learning disabilities on GP registers to ensure they receive necessary health checks. NHS England is also rolling out a "reasonable adjustment digital flag" to ensure necessary accommodations are recorded for all disabled individuals.

The LeDeR review, established in 2015, examines the high mortality rates among people with learning disabilities and autism. It investigates individual lives, healthcare received, and causes of death to identify potential improvements. The Staying Alive and Well group highlighted the personal impact of these statistics, stating, "The numbers in this report are not just numbers for us. This is very real to us. This is about people." They also noted that individuals with learning disabilities can feel "discriminated against or not taken seriously" when seeking healthcare, leading to feelings of anger and distress.

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The statistics highlighted in the report were 'unacceptable'.