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care. This however, requires the putting in place populationbased strategies to inform and empower the target group and stakeholders.6 For instance, organizing health screenings yearly that incorporate practices, which are ‘autism friendly’ and promoting increased autism awareness among medical professionals, could help meet the comprehensive health needs of children with autism. Also, improving access to healthcare services by reinforcing Pediatr Neonatal Nurs Open J. 2022; 8(1): 1-13. doi: 10.17140/PNNOJ-8-134 4 Eta VEA Review | Volume 8 | Number 1| health and human services workforce capacity, could go a long way to reduce health disparities for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Persons with developmental disabilities should be included in public health programs, and strategies for emergency preparedness and readiness should equally be put in place taking in to account individuals with disabilities in general. This will ensure that at any point in time issues related to health pertaining to children with developmental disabilities will always be included in health priorities. Furthermore, data on disability should be regularly gathered and utilized to make decisions regarding public health activities.13 The following subsections present some of the ways by which the public health sector and related organizations can address health related disparities among persons with developmental disabilities and reduce inequalities. INCORPORATING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scheme calling on the total inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all programs, the society usually focuses on the disability rather than the unique abilities of these individuals. As a result this special group is often excluded from the usual public health programs and services. This leads to discrimination and isolation which in turn increase unemployment rates among this special population13 making most of them to live unfulfilling lives. This put individuals with disabilities in a disadvantaged position with great health consequences. Hence, if persons with disabilities are effectively included into health promotion policies and activities it will greatly improve their health and decrease inequalities in health and healthcare services. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND READINESS TO PROTECT HEALTH AND SAVE LIVES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable during emergencies and when disasters occur, since they are less likely to escape or be evacuated on time due to their disabilities. Emergency preparedness entails making plans and be ready to arrest and adequately handle the different types and stages of the multiple man-made and/or natural disasters that may occur. This plan that entails system-level responsiveness should consider including at all the stages of preparedness, evacuation, and recovery of every individual with a disability and his/her support systems within the community.13 Such emergency preparedness, health protection and live saving plans for persons with disabilities particularly children should also consider plans for modified shelter accommodations within the community.6 Also, the plan should make provision for the training of individuals with disabilities and families before, during and after disasters. Furthermore, organized planning and commitment is required to better address in particular, the needs of children with disabilities. ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND HUMAN SERVICES Children with autism have the right to fully access healthcare and healthcare services like the so-called normal or typically developing individuals. Health reforms are available that stipulate exceptional consideration for persons with disabilities including autism and condemns discrimination of any form among this special group.6 Hence, governments of nations particularly developing and underdeveloped countries need to respect these reforms in order to adequately meet the health needs of persons with disabilities and reduce inequalities in health and access to healthcare services. Generally, literature reveals that children with
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