Surgeon General Releases Preliminary Findings On Health Disparities and Mental Retardation

Comments from Surgeon General David Satcher at the conference on Health Disparities and Mental Retardation at a news conference in Washington, D.C.

Surgeon General David Satcher released the findings from his conference on Health Disparities and Mental Retardation today at a news conference in Washington, D.C. these findings highlight the vast shortcomings of health care available to people with mental retardation. The Surgeon General's report will form the basis of an action agenda to address the health care needs of children and adults with mental retardation.

The conference addressed the critical health needs of children and adults with mental retardation. The Surgeon General laid out an agenda that called for people with mental retardation to receive the same type of health services that other people receive. For instance:

• He said that people with mental retardation should receive good dental care and they often don't.

• He said that people with mental retardation should be able to get eyeglasses and they often can't.

• He said that health care professionals should talk directly to people with mental retardation and they often don't.

The agenda was developed in partnership with health care providers, advocates, doctors, and people with mental retardation.