Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Researchers have developed a digital tool that can identify future health risks in people with learning disabilities, which they believe could help prevent avoidable deaths.
It was developed as part of DECODE, a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded project led by Loughborough University and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, using artificial intelligence and health data from more than 33,000 people with learning disabilities.
Using information such as age, sex and existing health conditions, the digital healthcare tool shows which health conditions a person may be more likely to develop and when, based on what has been observed in people with similar health profiles.
On average, people with learning disabilities die 20 years earlier than the general population with 39% of deaths deemed avoidable – more than double the rate seen in the wider population.
DECODE researchers believe the tool could help save lives by enabling healthcare professionals to spot potential health problems earlier and work with people with learning disabilities and their carers to take preventative action.
The DECODE project is a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Artificial Intelligence for Multiple Long-Term Conditions (AIM) Research Collaboration Award funded project (Grant ID: NIHR 203981).
With heartfelt thanks to
Russell, Abigail, and Thomas
for generously sharing their stories.
“Looking Bad Right Now”
is written and composed by Thomas Corden.
Led by Loughborough University and
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
#LearningDisabilities #AIHealthcare #HealthInequalities #Autism #Dyspraxia #InclusiveResearch #DECODEProject #MachineLearning #HealthcareInnovation #NIHR
Follow Loughborough University:
YouTube: youtube.com/@lborouniversity
Instagram: instagram.com/lborouniversity
TikTok: tiktok.com/@lborouniversity
Facebook: facebook.com/lborouniversity
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/loughborough-university
Website: lboro.ac.uk
#LboroGrad #LboroFamily
Researchers have developed a digital tool that can identify future health risks in people with learning disabilities, which they believe could help prevent avoidable deaths.
It was developed as part of DECODE, a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded project led by Loughborough University and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, using artificial intelligence and health data from more than 33,000 people with learning disabilities.
Using information such as age, sex and existing health conditions, the digital healthcare tool shows which health conditions a person may be more likely to develop and when, based on what has been observed in people with similar health profiles.
On average, people with learning disabilities die 20 years earlier than the general population with 39% of deaths deemed avoidable – more than double the rate seen in the wider population.
DECODE researchers believe the tool could help save lives by enabling healthcare professionals to spot potential health problems earlier and work with people with learning disabilities and their carers to take preventative action.
The DECODE project is a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Artificial Intelligence for Multiple Long-Term Conditions (AIM) Research Collaboration Award funded project (Grant ID: NIHR 203981).
With heartfelt thanks to
Russell, Abigail, and Thomas
for generously sharing their stories.
“Looking Bad Right Now”
is written and composed by Thomas Corden.
Led by Loughborough University and
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
#LearningDisabilities #AIHealthcare #HealthInequalities #Autism #Dyspraxia #InclusiveResearch #DECODEProject #MachineLearning #HealthcareInnovation #NIHR
Follow Loughborough University:
YouTube: youtube.com/@lborouniversity
Instagram: instagram.com/lborouniversity
TikTok: tiktok.com/@lborouniversity
Facebook: facebook.com/lborouniversity
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/loughborough-university
Website: lboro.ac.uk
#LboroGrad #LboroFamily
