Health disparities and mental retardation.
OBJECTIVE
To identify health care needs and the availability and accessibility of health care services for people with mental retardation (MR).


METHODS
Review of the literature on health disparities and mental retardation was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycInfo from 1992 to 2002.


RESULTS
Deficiencies in care identified in the literature included general health screening and care for physical symptoms, mental health, women's care, dental services, health maintenance, and prevention.


CONCLUSIONS
Disparities in health care place people with MR at high risk for morbidity and premature mortality.
Fisher
Kathleen
K
School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, 600 Centerview Drive, 1300 ASB/A110, Hershey, PA 17033-0855, USA. kmf103@psu.edu
D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008017:Life Expectancy; D009017:Morbidity; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology