H-CARDD has been involved in a number of projects. The first large population-based research project conducted by H-CARDD focused on investigating the health status and health care of adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario. You will find all information about this research in The Atlas of Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities. In 2019, H-CARDD published a follow-up report on concerning health outcomes for Ontario adults with developmental disabilities.
Based on the findings from the first study, H-CARDD decided to zoom in on specific groups of adults with developmental disabilities: women, young adults, those with mental health and addiction problems and aging adults, as well as adults involved in the criminal justice and forensic systems. Each of these projects describe in detail the health and health services use of these key groups.
H-CARDD researchers have also studied how to improve the primary care and emergency health care for adults with developmental disabilities. They worked with Family Health Teams and Emergency Care Teams in Ontario to evaluate the implementation of health care tools to improve the care they provide to patients with developmental disabilities. They also worked with community agencies to assist and give guidance to Direct Support Professionals in their role regarding health care.