Population health

Population health is the term used to describe the health of people and why some groups of people are healthier than others as well as the policies, research and resources that influence the health of populations. Populations may be geographic regions, such as nations or communities, and they can also be other groups, such as employees, ethnic groups, or disabled persons for example. As experts in movement and exercise, and with a thorough knowledge of pathology and its effects on all systems, physical therapists are well equipped to address issues of population health. This section provides information and links to population health issues and initiatives around the world and the role physical therapists can play.

• Bone & Joint Decade
• Cardiovascular disease inc World Heart Day
• Diabetes inc World Diabetes Day
• Global Year Against Cancer Pain
• Global Year Against Acute Pain
• HIV and AIDS inc World AIDS Day
• Obesity
• Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI)
• World Osteoporosis Day

Bone & Joint Decade Joint Motion 2000 - 2010

The goal of the Bone and Joint Decade is to improve the health-related quality of life for people with musculoskeletal disorders throughout the world. These disorders are the most notorious and common causes of severe long-term pain and physical disability, affecting hundreds of millions of people across the world. The Decade aims to raise awareness and promote positive actions to combat the suffering and costs to society associated with musculoskeletal disorders such as joint diseases, osteoporosis, spinal disorders, severe trauma to the extremities and crippling diseases and deformities in children.

• Bone and Joint Decade Ambassadors
  • BJD Ambassador Program
  • BJD Ambassador nomination form
  • List of BJD Ambassadors and award recipients
• Access BJD newsletters

Global Year Against Cancer Pain

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) launched the 2008–2009 Global Year Against Cancer Pain to focus attention on the pain and suffering faced by people with cancer. Through this campaign, IASP soughtto provide a voice to those with cancer-related pain by “Raising Awareness, Improving Treatment, and Growing Support.” It is hoped the program will serve as an important first step toward reducing cancer-related pain and suffering for people around the world.
 

Global Year Against Musculoskeletal Pain

The 2010-2011 Global Year Against Acute Pain, sponsored by the International Association for the Study of Pain will draw attention to the persistent problem of acute pain, the most commonly experienced pain (eg surgery, childbirth, trauma).  Although acute pain is treatable with currently available medications and techniques, a large gap between evidence and practice results in widespread under-treatment.

World AIDS Day

Universal Access and Human Rights is the theme for World AIDS Day 2009-2010.

World AIDS Day, 1 December, is one of the most recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise further awareness in communities and across the world about the state of the pandemic, and critical next steps that must be taken to halt its spread.

Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI)

The World Health Organization selects "Tobacco Health Warnings" as the theme for the 20th World No Tobacco Day, which will take place on 31 May 2009. Tobacco health warnings appear on packs of cigarettes and are among the strongest defences against the global epidemic of tobacco. WHO particularly approves of warnings that contain both pictures and words because they are the most effective at convincing people to quit.

World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness.

World Heart Day

World Heart Day was created to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.2 million lives each year.  Together with its members, the World Heart Federation spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors, tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are controlled.

World Osteoporosis Day

World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) provides an all-important focal point for informing and educating the general public and policy makers about the prevention of a disease which still suffers from poor general awareness. With the number of participating countries and scheduled events increasing steadily year by year, the impact of WOD has grown significantly.