Political strategies for barrier-free healthcare for people with intellectual disability and cancer

Background
People with disabilities and in particular people with intellectual disability (ILD) are confronted with numerous health inequalities. In Germany, there is no information on the total number of people living with ILD as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO; ICD F70–F79), nor on the incidence of cancer and the detailed oncological care situation in this vulnerable patient group. Several national and international initiatives have been launched in recent years to make the healthcare system barrier-free and inclusive.

Methods
This article presents the results of a scoping review assessing the question of which policy or strategy papers, guidelines, or action plans exist in Germany to address the specifics of cancer treatment regarding people with ILD.

Results
The review was unable to identify any documents that have been published as policy or strategy papers for people with ILD in the field of cancer. In the action plan of the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) from December 2, 2024 for a diverse, inclusive and barrier-free healthcare system, there are—apart from the recommendation for information brochures in plain language on cancer screening—no specific recommendations for closing the care gaps for people with intellectual disabilities and cancer.

Conclusion
There are currently no relevant data in Germany that examine in detail the oncological care situation of this vulnerable patient group. However, the path towards a barrier-free and inclusive health system in Germany has begun. The hope now rests on national action plans and international research networks to improve the oncological care situation of these people.