The public health of Australians: A physiotherapy perspective

• Published in: Journal of science and medicine in sport Vol. 8; no. 4
• Main Author: Spurrier, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2005
• Subjects: Australia
• ISSN: 1440-2440

Common public health issues such as cardiovascular disease are reportable preventable by physical activity. Sports Medicine Australia has a role in the education and promotion of safe physical activity for a healthy lifestyle. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the highest cause of premature death in Australians. More than 50% of deaths in those over 65 yo are related to CVD. An estimated 1 in 5 adults have CVD with the relative risk of CVD increasing with multiple risk factors. Risk factors associated with CVD include smoking, hypertension, hypercholesteraemia, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity. The morbidity and mortality associated with the risk factors of CVD is a burden on the quality of life of individuals and on the health budget. Physiotherapists are well placed in the health workforce to identify risk factors in individuals, implement intervention stategies and refer to the appropriate medical practitioners. In particular, physiotherapists are well trained in the clinical reasoning required to screen patients for health risk factors which may limit their ability to participate in physical activity. Physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are related in a inverse dose - response to improved mortality. People involved in over 2000kcal of activity per week significantly reduce the risk factors for CVD. This presentation will discuss the clinical application of screening for risk factors associated with CVD, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. The practical application of exercise prescription as an intervention in physiotherapy practice will be discussed.