Annotation: This conference report identifies priority goals and action steps set forth by the mental retardation (MR) community at the national conference held December 5–6, 2001, in Washington, DC. The goals and action steps are described as follows: (1) integrate health promotion into community environments of individuals with MR; (2) increase knowledge and understanding of health and MR, ensuring that knowledge is made practical and easy to use; (3) improve the quality of health care for individuals with MR; (4) train health professionals in the care of adults and children with MR; (5) ensure that health care financing produces good health outcomes for adults and children with MR; and (6) increase sources of health care services for children, adolescents, and adults with MR, ensuring that they can easily access services. The report also includes six appendices covering the conference plenary sessions, a list of participants, a list of potential partners, a description of programs and strategies to close the health disparities gap for those with MR, a summary of the Surgeon General's listening session, and a list of speakers at the listening session. Appendix D, Section C describes oral health programs.
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Keywords: Access to health care, Adolescents, Adults, Children, Conferences, Federal initiatives, Health care delivery, Health care financing, Health promotion, Mental retardation, Oral health, Program descriptions, Quality assurance, Special health care needs, Special health care services
