Special Olympics Chief Health Officer in support of universal healthcare

Below is an excerpt from the McKinsey Health Institute article, “Special Olympics Chief Health Officer talks about supporting universal health care,” which includes an interview about Special Olympics’ extensive work to promote health equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Since its establishment In 1968, Special Olympics evolved into a global program providing year-round athletic training and competition for millions of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The program promotes and celebrates the abilities of athletes and promotes equal access to health care for all, according to Dimitri Christakis, MD, professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the University of Washington and chief health officer for Special Olympics International. Christakis leads the organization’s health programs – including prevention, evaluation, training and health system strengthening – to improve the overall health of more than five million people. Special Olympics Athletes and others with intellectual disabilities.

Sunny Sun, co-leader of inclusive health for people with disabilities at McKinsey Health, met Christakis on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, where the theme was “All for Health, Health for All.” They discussed how Christakis and his team are working to collect disability inclusion data from around the world using the Missing Billion framework. MHI has partnered with The Missing Billion Initiative To accelerate the movement for holistic health and dissemination New insights To promote change at scale for the 1.3 billion people with disabilities around the world.