International collaboration with researchers from the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disability (HA-ID) study in the Netherlands

The Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) was delighted to host a two-day international collaborative event with researchers from the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disability (HA-ID) study, a prospective multicentre cohort study from the Netherlands, in Trinity College Dublin on 17th and 18th November 2022. To consolidate the collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Trinity College Dublin and Erasmus University Medical Centre on 18th November and this collaboration will stimulate international research progress in understanding ageing with ID.

The collaborative event was an exciting conduit for discourse and dialogue among ID researchers across disciplines to drive interdisciplinary research collaboration. It was an opportunity to promote the exchange and dissemination for the latest research findings, with the sharing of longitudinal research study findings in Ireland and the Netherlands which will stimulate interesting future opportunities for collaboration. The collaboration provided an opportunity for early career researchers to interact with experts from the Netherlands and Ireland, advancing their knowledge and career development.  

The Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disability (HA-ID) study started in 2008 and includes 1050 older adults (aged ≥50) with intellectual disabilities (ID). The study is designed to learn more about the health and health risks of this group as they age. Compared with the amount of research in the general population, epidemiological research into the health of older adults with ID is still in its infancy. Longitudinal data about the health of this vulnerable and relatively unhealthy group are needed so that policy and care can be prioritised and for guiding clinical decision making about screening, prevention and treatment to improve healthy ageing.

To consolidate the collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Trinity College Dublin and Erasmus University Medical Centre on 18th November and this collaboration will stimulate international research progress in understanding ageing with ID.



The international collaborative event was a wonderful opportunity for colleagues to meet in person and have in depth discussions leading to action and impact for people with intellectual disability. #researchmatters

Pictured here at the signing from left to right, Dr Alyt Oppewal (Erasmus MC), Dr. Dederieke Festen (Erasmus MC), Dr. Eilish Burke (Trinity College Dublin) and Professor Mary McCarron (Trinity College Dublin)