The Future of Forsyth County Special Olympics Athlete Physicals

Abstract

The intellectually and developmentally disabled population face many health disparities. Special Olympics North Carolina provides this special population access to healthcare via MedFest events where athlete physicals are performed. In Forsyth County, North Carolina the future of these Special Olympian athlete physicals is uncertain. This project seeks to understand the current process within Forsyth County while ensuring its sustainability. It is important to note the pandemic had significant impacts on this project. However, this project successfully identified gaps in the current process, and led to the creation of a new tool. The tool tracks prior event’s information with the potential to serve as a checklist in planning future events. This project also fostered a partnership between Special Olympics North Carolina Forsyth County and Wake Forest School of Medicine which addresses the gap, identified by this project, of the need for a provider at future MedFest events in Forsyth County. Further research is needed to ensure provider preparedness, access to healthcare, and equitious inclusion in health promotion efforts.