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Healthy Athletes Program
What is Healthy Athletes?
Through event- based screenings, Healthy Athletes works to improve access to health care for Special Olympics Arizona athletes; make referrals to local health practitioners when appropriate; train health care professionals and students about the needs and care of people with intellectual disabilities; collect, analyze and disseminate data on the health status and needs of people with intellectual disabilities; and advocat e for improved health policies and programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
Did You Know?
- Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better health care than others, they typically receive sub-standard care, or virtually no health care at all.
- Health Athletes has the world's largest database of health data for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Through Healthy Athletes, more than 100,000 health care professionals have been trained to treat people with intellectual disabilities. These health care professionals provide improved care to millions.
- Special Olympics has given out more than 90,000 pairs of prescription eyeglasses to athletes who needed them.
Special Olympics Arizona Screenings
Special Olympics Arizona currently offers free health screenings in seven areas: Fit Feet (podiatry), FUNfitness (physical therapy), Health Promotion (better health and well-being), Healthy Hearing (audiology), MedFest (sports physical exam), Opening Eyes (vision) , and Special Smiles (dentistry).
In a large study of Special Olympics athletes:
- 29% failed hearing tests
- 35% had untreated vision impairments
- 29% of males and 13% of females had below normal bone mineral density
- 50% had one or more foot diseases or conditions.
Be part of the solution. Donate, Volunteer or Participate today!
Healthy Athletes is now on Facebook! Please like us to be updated on upcoming event and health information.
Provider Directory
The provider registry is a database of various resources to inform athletes and their families of the providers in their local neighborhood that are experienced in working with people with intellectual disabilities. Each one of the providers has different stipulations by which they must abide as stated in the descriptions.
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Provider Directory
This directory has been created by Special Olympics to provide referrals to local health practitioners who have experience in the needs and care of people with intellectual disabilities. To find a local healthcare provider, click the following link: Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Provider Directory.
The Arizona Association of Community Health Centers (Local Search)
AACHC is committed to serving as a resource for organizations providing primary health care to the underserved, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, Tribal organizations and others. To find a Community Health Center near you, click the following link: The Arizona Association of Community Health Centers
Community Health Centers (National Search)
Spread across 50 states and all U.S. territories, there are 1,200 Community Health Centers that provide vital primary care to 18 million Americans with limited financial resources. To find a community health center near you, click the following link:Community Health Centers
Healthy Athletes Program Clinical Directory
Each one of our Healthy Athletes Disciplines has a Clinical Director that is the medical professional/administrator who organizes the screenings for his or her discipline. The following is a list of providers that our Clinical Directors or their affiliated organizations have identified as experienced and willing to provide care to people with special healthcare needs:
Special Smiles-Dental
Healthy LEAP Program
Healthy LEAP (Lifestyle, Education, And Practice) is a series of health, nutrition, fitness and safety lessons adapted from SOAZ’s Health Promotion Curriculum and delivered by coaches as part of weekly sports practices. Healthy LEAP lessons are reinforced by a multimedia information campaign of health messages delivered through text message, email, webinars, flyers and online videos. Students also receive free annual health screenings through SOAZ Healthy Athletes Program and parents/guardians receive the same educational information as their students, plus additional resources, interactive family activities and evaluation opportunities.
- Food Groups
- Healthy Weight and Obesity
- Behavior and Stress Management
- Bone Health
- Sports Nutrition and Hydration
- Exercise and Injury Prevention
- Sun Safety
- Preventions of Tobacco and Alcohol Use
Coaches Resources
- NFHS Unified Sports Coaches Course (http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=36000 )
BMI Calculations
- For calculations for children and teens ages 2-19 Click here
- For calculations for adults ages 20 and above Click here
Documents
- Coaches Expectations Sheet
- Parent/Guardian Meeting Form
- Athlete Data Form
- Healthy LEAP Consent Form
- Athlete Letter of Intent
- Athlete Exit Form
- Practice and Game Attendance Sheet
- Free Health Screening Information
Online Resources
- Arizona Department of Health Services
- Myplate- Nutrition
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Kids Health
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Reciprocal of:
Steps to Better Health Program
Documents
Health Educator Job Description
Health Educator Weekly Reflection
Student Pre and Post Health Surveys
Student Lesson Evaluation and Student Reflection
BMI Calculations
- For calculations for children and teens ages 2-19 Click here
- For calculations for adults ages 20 and above Click here
Online Submittal
- To submit the Pre and Post BMIs for your class Click here
- To submit the Weekly Reflection online Click here
Are you interested in getting involved in SOAZ's Health Programs? Click Here or contact Jesse Thompson at 602-476-0842 or Jesse@SpecialOlympicsArizona.org for more information.
Healthy Athletes Volunteer Clinicians
The health expertise volunteers possess spans the complete spectrum of medical disciplines from podiatry to dentistry to traditional sports medicine, but one thing they all have in common is the sense of accomplishment and joy they receive from working with athletes with intellectual disabilities at a Healthy Athletes venue. Many volunteers come back event after event for years and say they get more out of the experience than they give. Health care volunteers receive free training on the specific health needs of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to go back to their practices and classrooms and better serve their patients and teach their students. Healthy Athletes screenings are also provided in a comfortable and fun atmosphere, so athletes and volunteers alike can enjoy themselves.
- If you are a medical professional or student that wants to get involved with Special Olympics Healthy Athletes please fill out this document and you will be contacted.
For additional information contact:
| Jesse Thompson | Bethany McDaniel |
| Healthy Athletes Coordinator | Programs Administrator |
| 602.476.0842 | 602.324.5670 |
| Jesse@SpecialOlympicsArizona.org |
