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You may be shocked to learn that in England, people with learning disabilities die around 20 years earlier than people without learning disabilities. But why is this? This animation about Sam, a man with learning disabilities, shows how our health is shaped by the world around us. Developed by The Open University’s Professor Liz Tilley in collaboration with self-advocacy organisation My Life My Choice, Sam’s story explores the social determinants of health. 

The social determinants of health are the wider forces that have a direct impact on our health and wellbeing, for example education, employment and housing. Such issues are brought into sharp focus for people with learning disabilities. 

People with learning disabilities are almost twice as likely to die from an ‘avoidable death’ than people without learning disabilities. This means that someone dies of an illness which could have been prevented or treated. 

Research shows us that many people with learning disabilities die young because they are not valued in the same way as other people. We also know that people with learning disabilities often don’t get the right care, support and healthcare treatment when they need it. The poor health outcomes that people with learning disabilities face is a national scandal, especially given the weight of evidence to explain why this happens. But Sam’s story below shows that things can be different.

Sam's story

Acknowledgement

This interactive feature was originally published on OU Connect.