Action in the Asia Western Pacific Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (Editorial‪)‬

ABSTRACT The Asia Western Pacific (AWP) Region is one of five designated regions established by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) to enhance closer co-operation amongst member organisations. The current growth in membership is one of the most exciting developments for the profession and signals the fact that increasing numbers of the region's population are likely to be the recipients of physiotherapy services. The paper discusses key objectives for the region and ways in which the AWP group is fulfilling its role to facilitate improved health through physical therapy. The links between WCPT--AWP and the work of the World Health Organization in the region are also discussed, in the context of potential limitations to meeting health targets established for the population. Limitations include health workforce shortages; population health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and obesity as well as the region's vulnerability to natural disasters and the consequences for populations affected. Rehabilitation for victims of natural disasters is often neglected and physiotherapy services are non-existent. Furthermore physiotherapy as a profession still does not exist in a number of countries in the region. The physiotherapy profession needs to take up the challenge to ensure that physical rehabilitation is available to all. Skinner MA (2006): Action in the Asia Western Pacific Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy 34(2): 47-49.