Healthy Athletes: Improving Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities through Access, Education, and Research

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a 40 percent greater risk of preventable secondary health conditions, such as obesity, poor fitness, nutritional deficits, untreated or poorly treated vision, dental, hearing, and podiatric problems.

Special Olympics Healthy Athletes helps athletes improve their training and competition by focusing on overall health and fitness. This is achieved through basic health screenings during Special Olympics events, provision of preventative and treatment services, educational information, and referrals for follow-up care. Athletes have enhanced sports experiences and improved well-being as a result of receiving critical health services.

Photo: Special Olympics athlete at a vision screening during a Special Olympics event.

Partners

Useful documents

• Start a Special Olympics Healthy Athlete Program - Create a Legacy of Health Care

For more information:
Marian Murphy,
westeuro@indigo.ie