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Healthy Athletes®

Our work

In 1997, Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® began offering free health screenings and education to Special Olympics athletes in a welcoming, fun environment. Since then, we have delivered over 2 million free health screenings worldwide and trained more than 260,000 health professionals and students to treat people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Providers take their learned skills back to their practices and provide higher quality health care to people with ID – not just Special Olympics athletes – in their communities.

Healthy Athletes® in New Mexico

Screenings Overview

Special Olympics New Mexico’s Healthy Athletes® initiative provides health screenings free of charge to Special Olympics athletes in the following areas: Opening Eyes (optometry), Special Smiles (dentistry), Fit Feet (podiatry), Fun Fitness (physical therapy), and Health Promotion (better health and well-being). Through Healthy Athletes®, Special Olympics New Mexico gives its athletes the opportunity to see health professionals who have experience in treating individuals with disabilities, providing them access to healthcare that improves their sports performance and quality of their daily life.

When and Where

Screenings typically take place at Special Olympics New Mexico state competitions in the Olympic Village, at the State Summer Games, Four Corners Invitational, and the Holiday Classic competition. 

How to Participate

Special Olympics athletes are encouraged to visit Olympic Village before or after they compete so they can participate in each screening. It’s a lot of fun AND encourages athletes to focus on health & wellness

2023 Screenings

  • 463 total screenings and 188 referrals were given in 2023 by a total of 171 volunteers including health professionals, students and non-clinical volunteers.
Opening Eyes

Opening Eyes

67 athletes screened, 20 referred for further treatment. 36 athletes provided with regular prescription glasses.

Special Smiles

Special Smiles

100 athletes screened, 25 referred for further treatment, and 100 mouth guards fabricated.

Fit Feet

Fit Feet

80 athletes screened, 10 referred for further treatment.

FunFitness

FunFitness

44 athletes screened and 34 referred for further treatment

Health Promotion

Health Promotion

117 athletes screened and 99 referred for further treatment.

Strong Minds

Strong Minds

55 athletes screened.

Become a Healthy Athletes Volunteer!

If you are a student or professional in the healthcare industry looking for an enriching volunteer opportunity, consider volunteering in the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program. Contact us to learn more.
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