The World Federation of Chiropractic has been admitted as a founding member of the World Rehabilitation Alliance (WRA), a World Health Organization "global network of stakeholders whose mission is to support the implementation of the Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative through advocacy activities.
The World Rehabilitation Alliance has two primary objectives, according to the WFC: 1) conduct evidence-based advocacy activities that increase support and raise awareness on rehabilitation; and 2) strengthen networking and knowledge sharing within the rehabilitation sector.
WFC Secretary-General Dr. Richard Brown explained how WFC's involvement with the Rehabilitation Alliance strengthens the profession's value in the global health care arena:
"As a non-state actor in official relations with WHO since 1997, we are delighted to have been accepted as a member of the WRA. Chiropractors worldwide can play an important role in addressing disability and restoring functioning through their work as non-surgical, non-drug spine and joint experts. We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues across the rehabilitation space to contribute towards happier, healthier and more active populations."
The WHO describes the Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative, the key mission component of the WRA, as follows. The initiative:
[D]raws attention to the profound unmet need for rehabilitation worldwide, and highlights the importance of strengthening health systems to provide rehabilitation. The initiative marks a new strategic approach for the global rehabilitation community by emphasizing that:
- Rehabilitation should be available for all the population and through all stages of the life course.
- Efforts to strengthen rehabilitation should be directed towards supporting the health system as a whole and integrating rehabilitation into all levels of health care.
- Rehabilitation is an essential health service and crucial for achieving universal health coverage.
With ageing populations, and an increase in the number of people living with chronic disease, rehabilitation is a priority health strategy for the 21st century that uniquely contributes to optimising the functioning of the population.
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