Inequities in cardiovascular risk and lifestyle factors among individuals with developmental disabilities: evidence from Korea’s national health screening program

Significant gaps persist in the awareness and understanding of the health challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities. This study aims to examine health disparities among individuals with developmental disabilities in South Korea, focusing on cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, and lifestyle factors like physical activity, smoking, and drinking behaviors. We analyzed data from the National General Health Screening Program for 2019 and 2020, including a sample of 17,012 persons with disabilities and 5,623,993 persons without disabilities. We utilized propensity score matching (1:1) and multivariable logistic regression estimated outcomes. After matching, each group included 13,863 individuals with balanced baseline characteristics. Individuals with disability had higher risks of overall and abdominal obesity and lower risks of smoking and drinking. No significant differences were found in blood pressure and fasting blood sugar levels post-matching. In addition, individuals with disability showed lower risks of abnormal cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but higher risks for abnormal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and lower physical activity levels. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to address obesity and promote physical activity, while also acknowledging the lower risks of smoking and drinking in individuals with developmental disabilities.