CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
International conference
The Hague, 29 November - 1 December 2011
Organized by WHO in collaboration with TNO Work and Health and the Dutch Government
First announcement
About half of the world population spend at least one third of their time at the workplace. Fair employment and decent work are important social determinants of health and a healthy workforce is an essential prerequisite for productivity and economic development. However, only a small proportion of the global workforce has access to occupational health services for primary prevention and control of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries.
Currently, a number of countries are reforming their health systems based on the values and principles of primary health care. This is expected to improve service delivery and cost-efficiency, and ensure equity in access and coverage of health service.
National debates on health reforms often touch upon the insufficient collaboration between health and labour sectors, the organization of preventive and curative health services for working populations, and their relation to primary care. Employers, businesses and private sector ever more engage in providing health services to workers and communities.
Certain global health problems, such as non-communicable diseases, result in increasing rates of long term sickness absence and permanent work incapacity. This requires an integrated response by primary and occupational health care and empowerment of workers.
The purpose of this conference is to identify policy options, strategies, mechanisms and partnerships to integrate occupational health into primary health care at the local, regional and national levels. IN particular, it will address the following issues:
- factors of success and obstacles for integrating occupational health in primary health care in countries
- opportunities and challenges for occupational health arising from primary health care strategies, such as universal coverage, people-centred health care, participatory health governance and health in all policies
- strategic directions for delivery of occupational health services in the context of integrated primary health care
The conference will bring together, by invitation, members of government of public health and labour, occupational health experts and primary care providers, researchers, social partners, and experts in financing.
For more information, contact workershealth@who.int