Social Well-Being, Relationships, and Social Determinants of Health of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The aim of this study was to examine the role of relationships in the health and social determinants of health of people with intellectual and development disabilites (IDD). To do so, we analyzed Personal Outcome Measures interviews from 2,928 people with IDD (2020–2024). We found, controlling for sociodemographics, for each additional 1-unit increase in relationship outcomes present, the odds of people with IDD having the best possible health increased by 60%. In addition, for every 1-unit increase in relationship outcomes present, social determinants of health-related outcomes for people with IDD increased by 1.05 (the equivalent of 10.5%). Remedying the social isolation of people with IDD is critical for health equity.