On 20 November 2024, the international Harm Reduction Conference took place in Budapest under the auspices of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council (HU24EU).

The Europe Region of World Physiotherapy led session started at 14:40 CET. During this space, representatives from the Hungarian authorities, WHO Europe and the Hungarian Society of Cardiologists highlighted the prominent role of physiotherapy in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

This was followed by a presentation by the chair of the Expert Group on NCDs of the Europe Region, Gráinne O'Donoghue, who introduced the new document of the Europe Region: “The Role of Physiotherapy in the Prevention and Management of NCDs”.

Later on, a high-level round table composed of physiotherapists and medical doctors stressed the importance of physiotherapy in certain NCDs, namely: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, weight management and mental health problems. 

Esther-Mary D’Arcy, chairperson of the Europe Region, closed the physiotherapy-led session with three powerful messages:

• The evidence of the impact and cost-effectiveness of physiotherapy in #NCDs is very strong

• Policies need to be implemented to ensure easy access to physiotherapy for people living with NCDs

• Physiotherapists are the solution in the fight against NCDs.

You can watch the whole event on the Youtube channel of the Europe Region of World Physiotherapy.