Africa’s Health Messengers Star at Global Inclusive Health Forum

Special Olympics, WHO and Partners Commit To Ending Unjust Health Disparities for People with Intellectual Disabilities

• Commitments made at 13 March Global Inclusive Health Forum will contribute to training 10,000 public health workers in 20 developing nations
• Seven honorees will receive Golisano Global Health Leadership Awards

Prior to the official opening of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 on 14 March, Special Olympics will host a Global Inclusive Health Forum on 13 March. Over 100 global health leaders will come together to ensure community health workers are adequately equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to provide quality health care for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Nyasha Derera, Africa Region’s Sargent Shiver International Global Messenger and newly-elected Chair of the Global Athlete Congress, will open the Forum by hosting a panel on health rights.

“A commitment to health is the most important commitment anyone can make, whether you’re committing to your own health, the health of your community, or the health of your country,” said Nyasha Derere, Special Olympics Board Member, Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, and Chair of Global Athlete Congress. “The commitments made at the Global Inclusive Health Forum give Special Olympics athletes like me optimism that we will level the playing field for health.”

Participants at the Global Inclusive Health Forum will discuss strategies and good practices and make commitments to fund and support training 10,000 community public health workers from 20 developing nations over the next 3–5 years.

People with intellectual disabilities face significant challenges accessing quality health care, resulting in pronounced health disparities, reduced life expectancy, and violations to their access to health as a human right. The goal of Special Olympics is to facilitate the reform of health systems around the world to improve access to health for 11 million individuals with intellectual disabilities by 2020.

An example of Special Olympics Health: Fit Feet helps Special Olympics athletes step lively on the playing field, and in everyday life. Many athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain, or deformities that impair their performance.

Golisano Global Health Leadership Award goes to Kenya

The Forum will also recognize seven healthcare organizations and professionals who are on the frontlines of bringing essential and often unprecedented health care best practices and services to people with ID.

The Golisano Global Health Leadership Award honors the significant impact made by leading individuals and organizations from around the world in improving access to health for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Honorees will be recognized from Belgium, China, India, Jordan, Kenya, Paraguay, and the United States of America. The award is named for Tom Golisano, U.S. businessman and philanthropist, who has contributed $37 million to Special Olympics to advance inclusive health around the world.

Following the Forum, participants will gain firsthand insight in to the practical training of student and professional health workers by touring Special Olympics Healthy Athletes, a program that trains health care providers and students in adapted screening protocols and in communicating effectively with people with ID in seven disciplines: optometry, dentistry, audiology, podiatry, physical therapy and fitness, health promotion and emotional well-being.

The Global Inclusive Health Forum is sponsored by the Golisano Foundation and Lions Clubs International Foundation.