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U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support work that improves the overall health and quality of life for people living with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.

A 5-Year Cooperative Agreement between Special Olympics and CDC began in 2016 and currently supports a range of health initiatives. These include the Healthy Athletes program that facilitates health screenings, health promotion and education; an expansion of access to follow-up care and wellness programing; partnerships with medical schools and health professionals to integrate appropriate training and education for the next generation of health professionals; and development of the largest data set on people with intellectual disabilities in the country—to better analyze the problem of health inequality and how best to address it. The partnership also elevates inclusive health to the national stage, targeting wellness, fitness, professional associations, medical schools, public health organizations, funders, and others to become champions of inclusive health.

Learn more about U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Special Olympics Shares Insights on Pursuing Health Equity at the 2023 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting

Special Olympics Missouri Athlete and Global Health Messenger Allen Tobin Talks About the Benefits of Healthy Athletes and Inclusive Health at the 2023 APHA Annual Meeting.
2 Min Read

Special Olympics Addresses the Issue of Tobacco Use and its Impact on People with Disabilities on The GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT

Special Olympics aims to provide inclusive strategies with National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) that address challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live smokefree and choose health.
2 Min Read

Special Olympics Calls for Inclusive Access to Diabetes Care on World Diabetes Day

Special Olympics is dedicated to closing the healthcare divide for individuals with IDD by highlighting the significance of diabetes care accessibility and advocating for greater health equity.
2 Min Read

Special Olympics Addresses Need for Early Healthcare Intervention in Light of New Study from CDC

Special Olympics Addresses Need for Early Healthcare Intervention in Light of New Study from CDC
2 Min Read

Special Olympics Athletes Lead the Way Toward Inclusive Fitness

The following is an expert from the CDC’s website post titled CDC and Special Olympics: Inclusive Health. For more information or to read the entire post, please visit the page here.
2 Min Read

Celebrating World Health Day with Equitable Care

Everyone’s health needs should be included in the healthcare system, and people with intellectual disabilities deserve to have access to a healthcare environment that best addresses their specific health needs.
1 Min Read

Youth Today features Special Olympics Data and Fitness Resources Designed Specifically for People with Intellectual Disabilities

An article from Youth Today discusses why individuals with intellectual disabilities are more likely to be overweight, and how Special Olympics data and resources are changing that.
1 Min Read

CDC and Special Olympics Partnership: Inclusive Health: Physical Fitness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support work that improves the overall health and quality of life for people living with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.
1 Min Read

CDC Shares Special Olympics Mental Health Resources

To address the high rates of mental distress among adults with disabilities, the CDC posted helpful resources, including recommendations for people with intellectual disabilities from Special Olympics.
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Additional Content

School of Strength: Class is in Session

WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre takes you through 10 exercises from the Unified Fitness Kit Cards that will help you improve your endurance, strength, and agility.

Fit 5

Fit 5 and Fitness Cards have been valuable resources for Programs looking to expand their fitness programming and initiatives.

Flu Vaccine Information and Resources

Resources that we have created and shared with Special Olympics athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and others around the world.

Flu Vaccine Information and Resources

COVID-19 is spread the same way that the flu is spread. So this year, Special Olympics is sharing flu education materials provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help our athletes practice prevention from possible exposure to both the flu and COVID-19.