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Overview
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Prevention

Prevention programs reach across the lifespan, delivering impact through health promotion, physical activity and fitness, and child development. These programs support individuals from early childhood through older adulthood and improve physical and social-emotional health to create lasting impacts.

Data included on this page can be found in 2024 sources linked at the bottom of this page.

Fitness and Healthy Behaviors
Special Olympics Fitness comprises of three components that focus on healthy lifestyle behaviors: physical activity, nutrition, and hydration. Regular physical activity, healthy eating, and sufficient water consumption play significant roles in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing risk for chronic diseases, improving cognitive and physical functioning, and enhancing sport performance.

432,698

individuals with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) have participated in Special Olympics fitness programming to support lifelong healthy habits and reduce the risk of chronic disease.1

301,126

people with IDD participated in structured fitness programming for 6 weeks or longer, demonstrating early adoption of healthy behaviors.1 

181

users piloted the Special Olympics Fitness App to support their fitness journey.2

390

athletes globally have been trained as Fitness Captains that promote inclusive fitness environments.1

74%

of athletes report improved confidence in doing physical activity after participating in Special Olympics fitness programming.1

70%

of athletes report improved knowledge in physical activity after participating in Special Olympics fitness programming.1

72%

of athletes report improved confidence in eating healthy after participating in Special Olympics fitness programming.1

17,641

coaches trained to implement health and fitness at sports practices.1

8,827

fitness professionals trained in inclusive fitness.1
Early Childhood Development
Special Olympics Young Athletes is an early childhood play program that introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking, and throwing, to children ages 2 to 7 with and without IDD.

Young Athletes serves as the foundation of Special Olympics’ early childhood development programming, with the impact reaching beyond the child through systems of support created for families, educators, providers, and others in the community.

294,996

children with and without IDD participated in Young Athletes. 3

164

Special Olympics Programs offer Young Athletes programming globally.4

49,079

children with IDD globally as new participants in 2024.4

1,494

lifetime users currently use the Young Athletes app globally to support development and play at home.5

7 – 9 months

gains in gross motor skills for children with IDD who participated in Young Athletes over two months.6
Family Health Education
Special Olympics supports family health education through the implementation of ongoing and one-time opportunities that ensure continuous support for families to promote healthy lifestyles for their family member with IDD. Programming is anchored by Family Health Forums, which provide a space for parents, caregivers, and siblings of people with IDD to engage with health professionals, community leaders and social service providers.

19,782

individuals attending family health forums and health education events.5

Over 70%

of parents participating in Child and Family Health programming report increased knowledge and confidence, understanding of their role as a parent, and their child’s disability and health needs. 7
Sources

1 – 7
  1. Special Olympics Fitness 2024 Annual Report
  2. Special Olympics Fitness App
  3. 2024 Global Reach Report
  4. Special Olympics Census
  5. 2024 Annual Health Report
  6. Favazza, P. C., Siperstein, G. N., Zeisel, S. A., Odom, S. L., Sideris, J. H., & Moskowitz, A. L. (2013). Young Athletes Program: Impact on Motor Development. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 30(3), 235-253. Retrieved Jan 21, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.30.3.235
  7. Smith, A., Ralston, R., Bornman, J., & Wepener, C. Evaluating the Impact of an Integrated Child and Family Health Early Intervention Program: A Four-Country Comparison. Presentation at the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2024 Congress; August 8, 2024; Chicago, Illinois 

Special Olympics Health activities are supported by many sources, including in the United States, by Grant Number NU27DD000021 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with $18.1M (64%) financed with U.S. federal funds and $10.2M (36%) supported by non-federal sources.

These contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.