Physiotherapy and Global Health: Fisioterapia y salud global: A Narrative Review of the One Health Paradigm

Abstract

Objective: To critically reflect on the limitations of
the One Health approach and propose, from the
perspective of Latin American Social Medicine
(LASM), a more integrative approach to addressing
the challenges of global health, especially in relation
to physical therapy. Design: A theoretical reflection
study in the form of a narrative literature review,
focusing on the critical analysis of conceptual
approaches to global health, physical therapy, and
the Latin American Social Medicine approach. Site:
This study was not conducted at a specific site, as
it is a theoretical and bibliographical study with no
direct field intervention. Participants: There were
no human participants. The study was based on
academic bibliographic sources, theoretical texts, and
documents from international organizations. Method:
A critical narrative review of academic literature was
conducted in databases such as Scopus, PubMed,
Redalyc, SciELO, among others. The analysis
was conducted from a hermeneutic and critical
perspective, contrasting the One Health and LASM
paradigms and their relationship to physical therapy.
Results: One Health recognizes the relationship
between human, animal, and environmental health,
but has limitations in that it does not adequately
address structural social and economic inequalities.
It is evident that physical therapy, by focusing on
human body movement, can play a fundamental role
in building holistic health, considering the social and
environmental conditions that affect populations.
Conclusions: Critically integrating One Health, SLM,
and physical therapy approaches allows for enriching
understanding and action on global health. This
holistic, interdisciplinary, and equity-minded vision
is key to advancing inclusive, transformative public
policies centered on the right to health of all people.