What is MedFest?
Over 900,000 Special Olympics athletes participate in games and events organized by Special Olympics each year in the United States. But before they step on the playing field, they are required to have a comprehensive sports physical. MedFest was created to offer the physical exam that all athletes need prior to participating in Special Olympics sports. Screenings assess blood pressure, temperature, pulse, height, weight, body mass index, vision, hearing, medical history, potential medication side effects and general physical health. It is sometimes the first exposure these athletes have to medical care. In many cases, life-threatening conditions have been found and subsequently treated thanks to MedFest.
Purpose and goals
MedFest screenings have found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes have significant health concerns that are preventable and/or treatable. The goals of MedFest include:
- Offer a free sports physicals and other health examination services to people with intellectual disabilities.
- Recruit new athletes to Special Olympics.
- Foster new partnerships between Special Olympics and the community.
- Provide physicians, nurses, and other health care providers with training and specialized experience in the caring for people with intellectual disabilities.
Importance and impact
At FUNfitness screenings, we learned that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. have the following health related concerns:
90% of primary care residence programs in the U.S. offer no training in caring for people with intellectual disabilities
81% of graduating medical students in the U.S. report not having any training in the care of people with intellectual disabilities
74% of adult Special Olympics athletes are overweight
50% of Special Olympics athletes younger than age 20 are overweight
Clinical Directors
Clinical Directors are an important part of the Healthy Athletes MedFest team. Clinical Directors are responsible for working with their local Special Olympics program and other volunteer health professionals in coordinating a MedFest event in their region.
Jeff Prendergast
Health Programs Coordinator
[email protected]
763.270.7171