A new study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine explores the relationship between The Center for Discovery’s SynergE6® Healthspan Model and lower rates of chronic health conditions among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Center for Discovery is proud to announce the publication of new research in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, titled “Applying Lifestyle Medicine to Improve Health Outcomes in People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.”
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including autism, experience significant health disparities and disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions. Yet research examining how comprehensive, integrated approaches to health and wellness may improve outcomes for this population remains limited. The study reviewed health outcomes for 295 adults with I/DD, including 172 adults with autism, receiving care through The Center’s SynergE6 Healthspan Model. This comprehensive approach integrates nutrition, physical activity, emotional regulation, supportive environments, individualized treatment, and ongoing evaluation into daily care.
The findings revealed substantially lower rates of several chronic conditions, including obesity, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure, compared with national and New York State disability benchmarks. While these findings are observational, they offer an encouraging foundation for future research into the potential of lifestyle medicine to improve health outcomes for people with complex disabilities.
The study also raises an important question: What could happen if health promotion and lifestyle medicine became a central part of care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, rather than an afterthought?
This publication reflects the dedication of the many teams across The Center who have helped develop and implement the SynergE6 Healthspan Model, integrating health and wellness into everyday life. The Center recognizes the contributions of TCFD authors Dr. Theresa Hamlin, Conor Anderson, Dr. Johanna Lantz, Jennifer Franck, and Dr. Helena Le Roux Ohm, along with Dr. Donald Landry, for their work on this research.
As The Center continues to advance innovative approaches to care, these findings contribute to a broader conversation about prioritizing health, wellness, and quality of life for people with complex disabilities.
