Celebrating Physiotherapy Month: Moving Northern Health forward - Northern Health Stories

Washington, D. C., 9 September 2026—On World Physiotherapy Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reaffirmed the essential role of physiotherapy and rehabilitation in helping people achieve and maintain functioning, independence, health, and participation throughout the life course. Observed annually on 8 September, World Physiotherapy Day recognizes the contribution of physiotherapists to prevention, recovery, functional independence, and quality of life. To mark the occasion, PAHO brought together staff members, technical teams, partners, and representatives from World Physiotherapy and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for activities that highlighted the links between rehabilitation, universal health coverage (UHC), primary health care, and workplace well-being. “Rehabilitation is not an optional or specialized service for only a few people. It is an essential health service that enables people to live independently, participate in their communities, and pursue their goals,” said Dr Hennis, NMH Department Director at PAHO.

A common liver disease affecting nearly 30% of adults worldwide is far more complex than previously understood. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified five biologically distinct forms of the condition, each associated with different risks of serious health complications, including heart disease, liver failure, cancer, and the need for a liver transplant. The findings, published in Nature Communications, come from a collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Virginia Tech. Scientists discovered that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, can develop through several different biological pathways. Some are closely connected to obesity and diabetes, while others appear to be driven by inherited genetic differences.

IntroductionHypertension is a major global health concern and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality [1]. It is estimated that more than 19 million annual deaths are attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide [2]. In Japan, high blood pressure (BP) has been consistently identified as a strong risk factor for the national burden of CVD, in terms of notable incidence, mortality, direct/indirect healthcare costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with this condition [3, 4]. Although age-specific mean BP declined in Japan over recent decades [5], hypertension remains a critical public health issue, particularly because of the rapid aging population. The proportion of individuals aged ≥65 years is projected to reach approximately 35% by 2040 in Japan [6], highlighting a potentially higher future burden of hypertension in this country. While the prevalence of hypertension increases with age, population aging may offset the benefits of declining BP levels in each age group. As a result, the future burden of hypertension in Japan remains uncertain.