Quoting national and international statistics on coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, COPD, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and obesity, showing that these diseases are epidemic in their incidence, the House of Delegates adopted Physical Therapists as Expert Providers for Exercise and Physical Activity—recognizing physical therapists as health service delivery providers of choice to prevent or treat these noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their related risk factors.
The position holds that APTA seeks participation in the development and/or update of physical activity or exercise guidelines for these NCDs. [RC-27]
Draft language adopted by the 2012 House will be available on the House Community next week. Final language for all actions taken by the June 2012 House will be available by September after the minutes have been approved.
I'm proud of our professional organization's efforts and the efforts of our profession as a whole for emphasizing our vital role in treating this patient population. I often find so many of my patients have not been educated enough, and I am educating them on importance of exercise etc many many years after diagnosis of these NCDs.
Posted by Jessica Graham
on 6/28/2012 2:23 AM