In 2001, Special Olympics launched new efforts to improve the general health and fitness of its athletes.  The rationale for Special Olympics to promote overall health is the longstanding awareness that people with intellectual disabilities frequently have medical conditions such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes and that they tend to develop these conditions at earlier stages of life.  Findings also show that exercise and diet can improve performance and reduce health risks.

The purpose of the Healthy Athletes Health Promotion program is to find the best ways to convey and reinforce key concepts & information about healthy lifestyles to our athletes.

Clinical Directors can be Dieticians, Medical Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, or Health Educator

The chief areas of focus of the Health Promotion discipline include, but are not limited to the following:

• Interactive educational games & literature on healthy eating;
• Nutrition;
• Sun safety and dermatological screening and education;
• Tobacco cessation;
• Osteoporosis screening;
• Lifestyle choices; and
• Fun ways to increase physical activity

Health Promotion is the newest discipline Special Olympics Indiana is offering.  Our Clincial Director is Dr. Carol Friesen from Ball State University.

If you are interested in assisting with Health Promotion events, please contact Pam Eakin at (800) 742-0612 ext. 232 or by email.