MedFest is a free health screening that meets the requirement of a standard sports physical, required under the General Rules of Special Olympics, Inc. Led by volunteer physicians, nurses, physician assistants and medical students, the MedFest screening consists of the following stations: medical history, height and weight, blood pressure, cardiology test, musculoskeletal test, orthopedic tests, abdominal evaluation and a check-out station.
MedFest also helps recruit new athletes to Special Olympics, retain current athletes, and provide physicians, nurses and other health care providers with training and specialized experience in the examination and assessment of people with intellectual disabilities
Impact
MedFest screenings throughout the US have found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes have significant secondary health concerns. Unfortunately medications commonly taken by people with intellectual disabilities are often associated with long-term side effects such as osteoporosis, weight gain, and sun sensitivity.
- 90% of primary care residency programs in the U.S. offer no training in caring for people with ID
- 81% of graduating medical students in the U.S. report not having training in the care of people with ID
- 60% of adult Special Olympics athletes are overweight or obese
- 29% of Special Olympics athletes under the age of 22 are overweight or obese
