Healthy Athletes®
Healthy Athletes® is the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities. Across the state, these Healthy Athletes initiatives are offered at several events, including Summer Games.
Funfitness is an opportunity for athletes to receive a total body fitness evaluation and educational materials from fitness experts to improve flexibility, strength and balance.
1 Min Read
Healthy Hearing offers free hearing screenings designed to ensure proper audiology care for Special Olympics athletes to improve their communication skills, social interactions and quality of life.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes is a program designed to provide quality eye care for people with intellectual disabilities.
1 Min Read
Special Smiles provides the gateway to not only good oral health but to overall better health through screening, education and by providing avenues for treatment options.
1 Min Read
Medfest provides the portal for entering the Special Olympics Virginia community and has been responsible for evaluating and uncovering many conditions, including some life-threathening ones, in athletes with intellectual disabilities.
1 Min Read
Health Promotion improves the quality of life and long-term health of Special Olympics Virginia athletes by promoting healthy behaviors, screenings and medical referrals.
1 Min Read
Health Challenges
Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better healthcare than others, they typically receive sub-standard care, or virtually no healthcare at all. As a result, people with intellectual disabilities are at an increased risk for poorer health and preventable health conditions. In fact, in a large study of Special Olympics athletes:
29%
Failed Hearing Tests
35%
had untreated vision impairments
50%
had one or more foot diseases or conditions
29%
Males with low bone mineral density
13%
females with low bone mineral density
Supporters
Why is it important for those with intellectual disabilities?