TEHRAN –Occupational Therapy Day is observed annually on October 27. The day highlights the role of occupational therapists in improving mental health and physical performance.

This year’s theme ‘Occupational Therapy for All’ further reflects the important role of the profession in facilitating the ability of individuals, communities, and populations to participate in everyday activities.

The day was first launched on October 27, 2010. Since then, it has become an important date to promote and celebrate the profession internationally. 

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is the international voice of the occupational therapy profession which globally comprises 111 national occupational therapy professional organizations. In 2006, Iran joined the federation. 

World Occupational Therapy Day is the opportunity to heighten the visibility of the profession’s development work and to promote the activities of WFOT locally, nationally, and internationally.

It is also a unique opportunity to unite the occupational therapy communities to share experiences with practitioners and students around the world.

Occupational therapy is a branch of healthcare; occupational therapists help individuals of all ages to prevent or improve their health, despite their injuries, illness, or disabilities.

They empower needed individuals to carry out their daily tasks (such as doing their jobs or attending school), and other activities.

The aging population is one of the most important challenges facing the country. It is forecast that old individuals outnumber the youth population, particularly in developing countries, in seven years. Hence population aging, as a global trend, is reshaping societies worldwide.

The number of older people (defined as those aged 65 years or older) tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021. Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from less than 10 percent to around 17 percent.

Consequently, the demand for comprehensive healthcare, care, and social support services has grown substantially, particularly for older persons with conditions such as dementia.

The trend also highlights the significance of promoting health, as well as preventing, and treating illnesses throughout the entire course of life.

Hence the significance of occupational therapists’ role is felt more than ever concerning the emerging challenges such as the aging population, increase in non-communicable diseases, and road traffic injuries.