Hip Hop Public Health is proud to announce our multi-year collaboration with Special Olympics to advance inclusion and help fight the rising tide of childhood obesity. As part of our shared commitment to reduce preventable health conditions and promote inclusive activities in the areas of dance, physical activity, nutrition and health promotion, we will be developing programming for students with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), aged pre-K to 12th grade, in over 7,600 Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® (UCS) across the United States
Despite severe needs and higher health risks, people with ID often lack access to health services and die on average 16 years earlier than the general population. Multiple barriers such as lack of training for health professionals, and ineffective communication materials contribute to these health disparities. Special Olympics and Hip Hop Public Health have teamed up to address this disparity by providing culturally-tailored information and tools for young children with and without ID, inspiring a lifetime of healthy behaviors.
We’re kicking off this collaboration with “Young Athletes in Motion” – a new signature hip-hop song remix and music video that will encourage families and classrooms to stay active and move together through dance. Launching November 20th in celebration of World Children’s Day, the 8-minute music video will feature a variety of dance and fitness movements from the Special Olympics Young Athletes activities.
Get Featured in the Young Athletes in Motion Music Video
We need your help finishing the music video! Submit a clip of you and your family dancing along to the teaser video with Special Olympics U.S. Youth Ambassadors Citlali Gallo, Sophie Hill and Joey Drwal by October 23, 2020 for a chance to be featured in the final music video. Special Olympics has you covered with a full list of recording tips and instructions but keep in mind the following:
- Record with your camera positioned horizontally
- Wear a solid-colored shirt, avoid logos
- Upload the original video file (MOV or MP4); do not send a compressed file
Don’t feel like dancing? Help us spread the word. Use this toolkit to easily share it online.
