The Order of Physiotherapists took part in the 1st National Health and Environment Congress, held at Culturgest in Lisbon on 7 and 8 February 2025. The event was attended by President António Lopes and Board Members Fátima Domingues and Carla Pimenta.
Organised by the Portuguese Council for Health and the Environment (CPSA), of which the Order is a member, the congress was the first forum dedicated to the interrelationship between climate change, environmental degradation and people's health. It aimed to provide a privileged space for reflection, exchange of experiences and networking, and was a milestone in the recent history of the CPSA.
The President of the Portuguese Physiotherapists Order was present at the Opening SessionThe event was attended by the President of the CPSA, Luís Campos, the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Emídio Sousa. Also speaking on the panel were "The Professional Bodies in the Face of Environmental Change"He was joined by members of other professional organisations.
Also as part of the 1st National Congress on Health and the Environment, the Board Member.., Carla Pimenta, presented an e-poster entitled "Promoting sustainable physiotherapy: strategies of the Order of Physiotherapists in the face of the Sustainable Development Goals". The work reflects the Order's commitment to promoting the ecological literacy of the population and training physiotherapists in the current environmental challenges. The eposter is available at enquiry.
Physiotherapy was also present through work carried out at the School of Health Technology of the Polytechnic of Coimbra:
"Good environmental sustainability practices in the health sector (Ecology and sustainability in physiotherapy: strategies and impacts)";
"Innovation in actions to adapt to the impact of climate change on health (Action by physiotherapists to mitigate the impact of climate change on health)"
"Urban health (Walking speed and urban space planning: implications for preventing falls in older adults)."
The congress provided a unique opportunity to interact with various stakeholders The event was an opportunity for the Order of Physiotherapists to reinforce its commitment to environmental sustainability and encourage the exchange of knowledge and good practices in this area. On site, it was also possible to dialogue with physiotherapists already aware of these issues, further enriching the sharing of experiences.
The presence of the Order of Physiotherapists at the 1st National Health and Environment Congress reinforces the profession's active role in building a more sustainable future and implementing strategies in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.