People with intellectual disability in New South Wales (NSW) face a major life expectancy gap compared with the general population. This research shows their average life expectancy is 67 years around 16 years shorter than the NSW average. The disparity is even greater for people with Down syndrome, whose life expectancy is about 54 years. 

The findings reveal long‑standing health inequities, showing that even in a high‑income country with universal healthcare, people with intellectual disability face unequal access and outcomes. They emphasise the urgent need for targeted health, social and system‑level reforms to ensure equitable, high‑quality care across the lifespan.