People with intellectual disabilities have a 40 percent greater risk of preventable secondary health conditions.
Greater Risk
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 to 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. See a slideshow about Healthy Athletes.
Healthy Athletes offers screenings by volunteer health professionals under seven disciplines: Vision (Opening Eyes); Dental (Special Smiles); Podiatry (Fit Feet); Physical Therapy (FUNfitness), Aural (Healthy Hearing); Lifestyle (Health Promotion); and General Fitness (MedFest).
Healthy Athletes has an IMPACT.
In Belgium, clinical data from Special Olympics Special Smiles athlete screenings in 2003 and 2004 were used to convince politicians to change the dental reimbursement for preventative measures for people with disabilities. Beginning in February 2005, people with intellectual disabilities have been reimbursed for up to four visits to the dentist each year instead of just one, in recognition of the significant oral health problems in this population.
For more information on Healthy Athletes in Europe/Eurasia contact Bjoern Koehler, Manager Health Athletes at bkoehler@specialolympics.org