International Digest
Great Britain
The British Chiropractic Association Sponsors Chiropractic
Awareness Week in April
This was a nationwide campaign from the British Chiropractic Association to
raise public awareness of how chiropractic care can not only help neuromusculoskeletal
(nerves, joints, bones and muscles) problems, but also how chiropractors
can also provide sound advice on lifestyle, diet and exercise in order
to prevent problems from reoccurring.
During BCA Chiropractic Awareness Week, there were a lot of activities
going on around the country that highlighted some specific themes.
Monday was Back to Work – A survey commissioned by the BCA and Targus
(the leading supplier of mobile computing cases and accessories), revealed the
rise of ‘hot-desking’ and the use of laptop computers, as well as
highlighting some of the problems that can be caused by this.
Tuesday was Driving – BCA chiropractors were stationed in selected SAAB
showrooms on various dates throughout the awareness week to give posture
advice to motorists. Auto Express, the UK’s biggest selling weekly motoring
magazine, searched for people who suffer posture problems at the wheel. The
edition of Auto Express during Chiropractic Awareness Week had an
article which showed how the volunteers got on with a health check session from
BCA chiropractor Tim Hutchful.
Wednesday was Health and Fitness – Many BCA chiropractors across the country
offered free spinal checks and patients who had one of these checks with a participating
chiropractor during the awareness week were entitled to a free day pass
to an LA Fitness Health and Fitness Club.
Thursday was Posture – There were over 30 interviews on BBC local radio
and other regional stations where BCA chiropractor Chris Turner was talking about
posture.
Friday was Sleep – The BCA, in partnership with IKEA, have produced a
useful advice leaflet, providing sound advice on buying a bed/mattress and top
tips on getting a good night’s sleep. BCA chiropractors will be stationed
in the bedroom departments of most IKEA stores in the UK at some time during
or after Chiropractic Awareness Week, providing advice on things to consider
when choosing a new bed.
Canada
Ontario Decides to Fund Physiotherapy But Not Chiropractic
Dr. Dean Wright, president of the Ontario Chiropractic Association, reacted with
shock following an announcement in March by the Provincial Government of an expansion
in funding for physiotherapy services–originally slated for delisting on
March 31–while chiropractic funding has been completely eliminated.
In its May 2004 budget, the Ontario government announced that physiotherapy, optometry
and chiropractic services would no longer be covered by Ontario Health Insurance
Plan for budgetary reasons. The recent announcement means that the Government
has made special provision for continued funding for routine eye exams for many
patients and has increased funding for many physiotherapy patients, while completely
eliminating funding for chiropractic patients on Dec. 1, 2004.
“The 1.2 million chiropractic patients in this province were led to believe
that they were among a number of patients, physiotherapy and optometry patients
included, for whom government could no longer afford to provide funding. Now they
are learning that the government has chosen to treat them fundamentally differently
than patients seen by other health care professionals,” Dr. Wright said.
When, through more than 600,000 letters and signed petitions, patients called
on the government last year to continue to fund chiropractic services, they were
told that budget issues made it impossible and that the same thing was happening
to patients treated by other health care professionals.
“We call on Premier McGuinty to do the right thing and treat chiropractic
patients in an equitable manner as with those patients treated by other health
care professionals. Access and affordability are crucial issues, for those most
in need, especially when they are living on a limited income,” said Dr.
Wright. “Government should take action, as they have just done for physiotherapy
patients, to protect those chiropractic patients. In doing so, government will
reduce reliance on other services and reduce total healthcare costs.”
People to People Organization Offering Two Chiropractic
Trips for Fall 2005
The People to People Ambassador Program provides foreign educational travel experiences
for professionals. Through meetings, seminars and cultural activities, participants
connect with people in similar professions overseas. The programs join common
interests in uncommon places through journeys that enrich the world, one person
at a time.
The program was started by President Dwight D. Eisenhower who sought a new path
to international understanding, and he developed People to People to be the vehicle
on that path.
He believed that if people could visit each others’ homes, attend their
schools and see their places of worship, then the misunderstandings, misperceptions
and resulting suspicions—which were making war a viable option—would
disappear.
Dr. Vincent Lucido, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and
Research, will be leading the Chiropractic Initiative Professional Delegation
to The People’s Republic of China from Sept. 11-23, 2005.
Dr. Lisa Zaynab Killinger, 2003-2004 Chair, American Public Health Association,
Chiropractic Healthcare Section, will be leading the Chiropractic Professional
Delegation to South Africa from Oct. 16-26, 2005.
For more information, contact the People to People Ambassador program at (877)
787-2000.
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