Grant: Applied Public Health Chair - LOI

The global rise in chronic diseases and aging will result in an associated rise in disability. This is the most significant public health problem of the 21st century. Musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis are the second most common cause of disability worldwide that result in barriers to maintaining optimal physical function. Physical therapists, who are experts in the treatment of MSK conditions, are needed in public health and health promotion to promote mobility and function as the cornerstones of health. The foci of my work align with the research priorities of Community-Based Primary Health Care and Healthy Aging for the Applied Chair in Public Health. This proposal describes a research program to address strategies to integrate rehabilitation and public health principles within primary care and community health institutions. My program of research includes (1) the study of preclinical disability, which will help identify the optimal time to for physical therapists to intervene with patients to avoid further decline in function (2) the study of regular assessment of physical function for persons who have chronic conditions and/or are aging (3) the study of how persons with chronic conditions can self-manage their conditions within primary care and how physical therapists can integrate rehabilitation principles within self-management programs (4) the development of complex rehabilitation interventions to maximize functioning both in primary care and community based settings (5) increasing the opportunity for access to rehabilitation services for underserved populations. In order to make function and mobility a priority from a primary care and population based perspective, public health initiatives will need to refocus support for rehabilitation scientists who can contribute evidence about effective interventions. In this way, health care can be transformed, making physical functional health a central focus of personal and population health.