Healthy Athletes®

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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®

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®

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

Lions Club International Opening Eyes®

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®

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®

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 Promotions®

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
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Sports, Health, And Fitness.

Why is it important for those with intellectual disabilities?