The need for biokineticists in the South African public health care system

Abstract

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly prevalent within South Africa. Physical inactivity is a significant, independent and modifiable risk factor increasing the prevalence of NCDs.

Discussion: The integration of physical activity programmes into the primary health care system through multidisciplinary platforms is thus advocated for and envisioned to be more cost-effective than current practices. However, currently within the primary health care setting of South Africa, there is an absence of health care professionals adequately equipped to develop and implement physical activity programmes. Biokineticists, whose scope of practice is to improve physical functioning and health through exercise as a modality, are ideally suited to developing and implementing physical activity programmes in the public sector. Yet despite their evident demand, the role of the biokineticist is not incorporated into the national public health care system.

Conclusion: This short report calls firstly, for the inclusion of biokinetics into the public health care sector, and secondly, for the funding of multidisciplinary community health programmes supporting education, healthy eating and physical activity levels.

Keywords: noncommunicable disease, physical activity, community health programme, primary health care