RECENT MORTALITY PATTERNS IN CALIFORNIA

Mortality among people with developmental disabilities was reviewed us ing recent data obtained from the California Department of Development al Services. The time interval for this report was 1991-1995. We defin ed two study cohorts: one beginning in January 1991 and a second in Ap ril 1993. The latter period represented the years of implementation of the Coffelt settlement, Our primary interest was in the Coffelt perio d cohort. Statistically significant association with increased rates o f mortality was found for community residence. A trend of declining mo rtality was noted for the community facilities from 1991-1995, but not for the developmental centers.