HEALTH PRIORITIES FOR POPULATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS HOD P06-15-20-11 [Position]

That the following population health priorities guide the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) work in the areas of prevention, wellness, fitness, health promotion, and management of disease and disability. Physical therapists can positively impact these areas and, where opportunity exists, can improve the health status of populations and individuals. Physical therapists also can help prevent secondary health conditions commonly associated with many chronic diseases and disabilities. The population health priorities identified to most relate to physical therapist practice in primary and secondary prevention and in disease management are: I. Active living1 A. Physical inactivity is a risk factor that contributes to onset and progression of diseases and conditions in individuals of all ages, including diabetes, heart disease, pulmonary disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, psychosocial health, stroke, certain cancers, and certain musculoskeletal conditions. B. Physical therapists have unique opportunities with the following populations identified by the US National Prevention Strategy (USNPS): 1. Aging individuals and populations (risk of falls, more individuals living longer with chronic diseases and conditions, impact of reduced physical fitness on quality of life