Rehabilitation 2030
Globally, 1 in 3 people live with a health condition that benefits from rehabilitation. These needs are spread across the lifespan, from children with congenital and intellectual impairment to young adults with physical limitations resulting from unintentional and war-related injuries to older people experiencing chronic disease or difficulties associated with ageing. These rehabilitation needs will only grow in the coming years as populations continue to age, and the number of people living with chronic disease continues to increase throughout the world.
Many countries are not equipped to respond to existing rehabilitation needs, let alone the forecasted increase arising from health and demographic trends. Rehabilitation is often not prioritized in countries and continues to be under-resourced. As a result, countless individuals do not have access to rehabilitation services, leading to an exacerbation of their condition, further complications, and lifelong consequences. In some low- and middle-income countries, more than 50% of people do not receive the rehabilitation services they require.
In 2017, in recognition of the growing global rehabilitation needs, underdeveloped rehabilitation services, and significant potential for unmet rehabilitation needs to increase in the future, WHO Member States, development partners, and civil society came together to launch the Rehabilitation 2030 initiative.