Athletic Training and Population Health Science

Abstract

Objective: To define and discuss the role of population health as a framework to improve care and clinical decision making in athletic training practice. Background: Athletic trainers are allied health professionals who are uniquely suited to provide preventative and educational health and wellness programs to improve health outcomes across a physically active population. Athletic trainers are often the first touch point for high school athletes seeking health and wellness education which may allow them to be the first intervention or prevention point for reducing or eliminating negative health behaviors and outcomes among their patients. Conclusions: Integrating a population health framework into the athletic training setting prepares athletic trainers to address complex health issues that exist in communities as a result of factors that influence determinants of health. The field of athletic training could benefit from the use of a population health approach to care by creating a broader consideration of the factors that impact the health of homogenous groups of populations that are served by athletic trainers.