February is American Heart Month. This makes it the perfect time to spotlight cardiovascular health and the importance of inclusive,preventive care for Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), heart health isn’t just important—it’s urgent. Special Olympics Massachusetts is helping change that through sport and an inclusive community.

Physical Activity Is a Powerful Heart Protector

People with IDD experience significantly higher rates of preventable conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to reduce cardiovascular risk. Through year-round sports and training, Special Olympics MA helps athletes stay active, strengthen their hearts, and build lifelong healthy habits.

Healthy Athletes® Screenings Help Close the Care Gap

According to a Special Olympics Global Report, health needs for people with IDD are often overlooked in traditional healthcare settings. In a survey of 700 people with IDD across 50 countries, 2 in 3 reported they do not make their own health decisions, highlighting the urgent need for empowerment and accessible care. Special Olympics’ Healthy Athletes® program helps fill that gap by providing free health screenings, including blood pressure and wellness checks. These screenings help identify heart health risks early and empower athletes to better understand and manage their health.

Unified Sports Improve Physical & Emotional Heart Health

Social isolation and stress can negatively impact cardiovascular health. Unified Sports bring athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together, creating strong social connections that reduce stress, increase motivation, and encourage consistent movement.

Training Encourages Heart-Healthy Habits Beyond Competition

Many people with IDD face barriers to accessing regular preventive care and health education. Through Train 4 Life,Special Olympics Massachusetts goes beyond the playing field—combining fitness,nutrition education, and goal-setting to help athletes build heart-healthyhabits. Alongside structured training, Train 4 Life empowers athletes to movemore, fuel their bodies well, and carry healthy routines far beyond the gym.

Inclusion Itself Is Good for the Heart

The bottom line is simple: people with IDD are often excluded from health systems, leading to poorer outcomes. Special Olympics flips that script. By creating inclusive spaces where athletes are seen, heard,and supported, Special Olympics Massachusetts helps reduce stress and build belonging. This inclusive approach improves overall well-being and supports both emotional and cardiovascular health.

Inclusive health content is sponsored by Tufts Health Plan, the Official Health Insurance Partner of Special Olympics Massachusetts. Tufts Health Plan and Special Olympics Massachusetts are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles through resources that support individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. To learn more about Tufts Health One Care, a health plan for those with disabilities who have Medicare and Medicaid, visit TuftsHealthPlan.com/SOMA