title: Public health approach to the study of mental retardation.
abstract: We applied a public health approach to the study of mental retardation by providing a basic descriptive epidemiological analysis using a large statewide linked birth and public school record database (N = 327,831). Sociodemographic factors played a key role across all levels of mental retardation. Birthweight less than 1000 g was associated with the highest individual-level risk, but the impact varied considerably, depending on maternal educational level. Low maternal education was associated with the largest effects at the population level for mild and moderate/severe mental retardation. Focusing exclusively on specific biomedical causes is of little use in developing public health plans; a broader biosocial perspective reflecting the interactive complexity of the risk factors comprising the various etiological patterns is needed.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0212, USA. dachapman@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Derek A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Keith G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Tina L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Stanton-Chapman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001719:Birth Certificates; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data