Health Research The Health and Health Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities New research studies conducted by Special Olympics found disturbing evidence that individuals with intellectual disabilities face widespread health problems, while physicians, dentists and other health professionals are not receiving adequate training in order to treat them. The findings of these studies have been compiled into The Health and Health Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities (Adobe PDF, 1.02M), which was highlighted during the “Changing Attitudes, Changing the World” Education Forum, held on 25 February at Hotel Okura in Tokyo, Japan. The 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in Nagano, Japan, from 26 February - 5 March. At Special Smiles screenings during the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games,: 35 percent of athletes had obvious signs (without X-rays or probing) of decay in their molar teeth and 12 percent of athletes reported tooth or mouth pain at the time of the exam. In contrast, slightly more than 2 percent of all U.S. employed adults reported that their last visit to the dentist was for a toothache. Download The Health and Health Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities (Adobe PDF, 1.02M) for a review of other health screenings and data. One study analyzed the health profiles of the more than 3,500 athletes at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland who were screened at the Healthy Athletes venue. Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® is designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness, leading to enhanced sports experiences and improved well-being. At Special Olympics competitions, Special Olympics athletes receive a variety of free health screenings and services in a series of clinics conducted in a welcoming, fun environment. Health care professionals and students are trained to provide the screenings in an effort to educate the professional community about the health needs and abilities of persons with intellectual disabilities. The data gathered at Healthy Athletes screenings — which collectively constitute the fastest growing health database on people with intellectual disabilities — are important for planning, programs, gaining support, improving policies and research. Did you know? According to the health care studies conducted by Special Olympics: Nine of ten advocacy and patient care organizations who serve people with intellectual disabilities do not have the ability to provide training or experience to physicians or dentists. Another multi-faceted survey represented more than 2,500 respondents in the United States, including medical school deans, dental school deans, medical residency directors, dental residency directors, medical students and advocacy and patient care groups. The research reinforces previous studies that found that despite the widespread belief that individuals with intellectual disabilities receive better health care than the rest of the population, people with intellectual disabilities actually have poorer health, more specialized health care needs and greater difficulty accessing health care services and doctors compared to the general public. The survey did find some signs of encouragement. For instance, the lack of training does not appear to be the result of discrimination or unwillingness on the part of students or recent graduates to treat people with intellectual disabilities. Nearly three-quarters of medical school (74 percent) and dental school (75 percent) students say they are interested in treating people with intellectual disabilities as part of their career. Download the full report (Adobe PDF document, 1.02M)    < Return to Health Research Home page >