This report has been prepared by the Ageing Special Interest Research Group of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID) in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence and the Programme on Ageing and Health, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland, and all rights are reserved by the above mentioned organization. The document may, however, be freely reviewed, abstracted, reproduced or translated in part, but not for sale or use in conjunction with commercial purposes. It may also be reproduced in full by non‐commercial entities for information or for educational purposes with prior permission from WHO/IASSID. The document is likely to be available in other languages also. For more information on this document, please visit the following websites: , http://www.who.int/mental_health> and .

Prevalence of and risk factors for osteoporosis in a community population of 94 young adults with mental retardation was examined. Results show lower bone mineral density in this group than in an age-matched reference population. Factors associated with low bone mineral density included small body size, hypogonadism, and Down syndrome in both genders and a high phosphate level in females. Low vitamin D levels were common in both genders, despite high levels of exposure to sunshine. A history of fracture was also common. Low bone mineral density and fracture were associated in females but not males. Because morbidity following fracture is likely to be more serious in this population, further investigation of osteoporosis and prevention strategies for both osteoporosis and fractures are important.

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Medicine is failing people with an intellectual disability‐ a national response is required