Enhancing Public Health Through the Incorporation of Physiotherapy in Awareness Campaigns, Affirms CAN
The 2025 Summer Olympics, held under the slogan 'Sports is Prevention', marked a significant milestone in the integration of physiotherapy programs into public health awareness initiatives. The event, organised in cooperation with the Public Authority for Sports, underscored the connection between physical activity and the prevention of chronic illnesses, particularly cancer.
Abdullah Al-Saleh, a prominent figure in health advocacy, emphasised this connection during his speech at the closing ceremony. He highlighted the inclusion of physiotherapy as a crucial support for disease prevention, improving mobility and physical function, and boosting mental health.
Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the National Cancer Awareness Campaign (CAN), also underscored the importance of integrating physiotherapy programs into public health awareness initiatives. He stressed that these programs play a significant role in the rehabilitation of cancer patients through movement-based therapies aimed at improving functional capacity.
The Olympics saw participation from sports and community teams of all ages, reflecting the widespread emphasis on physical activity for health and well-being. For cancer patients, between 60% and 90% suffer from physical and psychological side effects that can be improved through rehabilitation and physical therapy, with about 43% requiring direct physical therapy services.
Physiotherapists, as movement-based therapists, are uniquely positioned to lead physical activity promotion in populations at risk of or living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Their expertise in biomechanics and exercise physiology enables tailored interventions that reduce risk factors such as inactivity.
The successful integration of physiotherapy programs into public health initiatives involves overcoming challenges such as uneven distribution of rehabilitation professionals in public health systems and ensuring electronic health record (EHR) systems align with clinical frameworks like the WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) for consistent patient monitoring. Managerial support and training are key determinants of successful physiotherapy program implementation within public health.
While exact global statistics on the extent of integration vary, the WHO framework supports programs emphasising screening, nutrition, and physical activity, applicable to senior health and other populations. Advanced physiotherapy practice models show potential for cost-effective healthcare delivery, relevant to scaling public health initiatives globally.
In conclusion, the 2025 Summer Olympics demonstrated the potential of physiotherapy programs in disease prevention and rehabilitation, particularly for cancer patients. However, challenges in workforce distribution and digital record integration remain critical to address for maximising impact worldwide. Regular exercise, as promoted by the Olympics, is encouraged for better health and disease prevention.
- Abdullah Al-Saleh, a health advocate, stressed the integration of physiotherapy programs, particularly movement-based therapies, as crucial support for disease prevention, improving mobility, physical function, and mental health.
- Physiotherapists, focusing on populations at risk of or living with non-communicable diseases, use their expertise in biomechanics and exercise physiology to lead physical activity promotion, aiming to reduce risk factors like inactivity and improve health-and-wellness, sports, and fitness-and-exercise outcomes.
