Early intervention to restore function and maintain healthy trajectory

Abstract

The health of the global population has undergone rapid transformation. Life expectancy and chronic conditions are increasing, and persons aged 65 years or older have become the fastest growing segment of population. The worldwide picture of disease burden is increasingly defined by disability instead of premature mortality. Population growth, ageing and sedentary lifestyles, particularly in developing countries, will result in a crisis for the population health that requires a multi-system response. The growing awareness of the diseases burden increases the need for accurate measurement and assessment of the burden and measurement of the impact of any public health action. Musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases are increasingly recognised as a major and important group of diseases, which requires more attention from society and health care systems. The epidemiological evidence confirms the dramatic increase in the majority of MSK disorders with age, a phenomenon that is occurring in all parts of the world, particularly among females. There is a necessity to ensure global health policies to recognise the importance of disability burden for overall health, well-being and economic prosperity for the individual and society. It is important to promote a common goal between public health, primary care, specialised health and social services to reduce disability; to encourage health programs or models of care addressing chronic conditions, including the importance of primary and secondary prevention, early intervention, care coordination, access to a multidisciplinary team to address the bio-psychosocial aspects of chronic conditions. There is an identified need to develop a Health Care Systems response to enable the implementation of early intervention as an effective strategy to reduce the burden of MSK disorders with particular importance and potential gains for the target population of older people who have shown an acute loss of function due to MSK diseases. It will contribute to meeting the 'triple aim' goals in health systems of improving patient's care experience (satisfaction, confidence and trust), improving the health of people and populations (mortality, disability and quality of life) and improving the societal costs of diseases.

Keywords: Disability; Elderly; Intervention program; Musculoskeletal disorders; Quality of life.