Advancing an environmentally responsible physiotherapy

 

The world faces complex and interrelated crises… Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, rapid urbanization, geopolitical conflict and militarization, demographic change, population displacement, poverty, and widespread inequity create risks of future crises even more severe than those experienced today. Responses require investments that integrate planetary, societal, community and individual health and well-being (WHO 2021 Geneva Charter for Wellbeing)

 

 The impact of human activities on our planet’s natural systems has been intensifying rapidly in the past several decades, leading to disruption and transformation of most natural systems. These disruptions in the atmosphere, oceans, and across the terrestrial land surface are not only driving species to extinction, they pose serious threats to human health and wellbeing. Characterising and addressing these threats requires a paradigm shift (Myers, 2017)

Action at the level of direct drivers of nature decline, although necessary, is not sufficient … a sustainable global future’ is ‘only possible with urgent transformative change that tackles the root causes: the interconnected economic, socio-cultural, demographic, political, institutional, and technological indirect drivers behind the direct drivers (Diaz et al., 2019)

About

An international community of academics, clinicians, practitioners and students interested in exploring and advancing the field of environmental physiotherapy. 

Blog

Follow our latest musings on environmental physiotherapy. Ideas, inspiration, news, publications, events, and more. 

Join

Become part of the first international community of physiotherapists with an interest in researching, developing, and practising physiotherapy at a planetary scale. 

Resources

A growing selection of resources carefully selected by members of the EPA to inspire your thinking and practice of environmental physiotherapy. 

Un taller de fisioterapia sostenible en la Facultat de Fisioteràpia en la Universitat de València

El lunes 19 de junio 2023, un grupo de estudiantes de Grado, Máster y Doctorado de Fisioterapia de la Universitat de València asistieron durante todo el día a un taller sobre Fisioterapia Medioambiental. El taller se organizó gracias a los esfuerzos del Comisión de...

Shaping up our neighbourhoods: How physiotherapists positively contribute to design healthier communities 

Physical activity is a vital component of successful health promotion. Yet, Public Health England (2016) reported that the UK population is 20% less active than in the 1960s. Considering the significant consequences of inactivity, this is one of the country's most...

Environmental physiotherapy is now on Physiopedia and Physioplus

Ever since we have launched the Environmental Physiotherapy Association it has been our aim to advance the exploration and development of the relationship between physiotherapy, health and the environment in all of its facets. Today we are excited to share yet another...

Adapting to the “New Normal”: Practical Strategies for Physical Therapists to Mitigate Wildfire Smoke Health Impacts

The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was the most destructive on record, burning over 15 million hectares —more than double the previous record. This rise in wildfire frequency and intensity poses significant challenges to public health and the entire healthcare system....

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