Currently, about 1 in 100 people are identified as having a learning disability. Of this population, over 65 per cent have two or more long-term health problems, known as multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), and a life expectancy that is 20 years lower than the UK average.
However, the physical ill-health symptoms of people who suffer from learning disabilities are often wrongly attributed to a behavioural problem, leading to worse healthcare outcomes or ineffective care from health and social services.
Scientists at Loughborough University and the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust have teamed up to address this issue. Through the 'Decode' (Data-driven machinE-learning aided stratification and management of multiple long-term COnditions in adults with intellectual disabilitiEs) project, the team will use machine learning to better understand MLTCs in people with learning disabilities.
The researchers will analyse healthcare data on people...