Connecting Health and Labour: What role for occupational health in primary health care
Executive Summary of the WHO Global Conference from 29 November -to 1 December 2011 The Hague, The Netherlands
Overview
Currently, a number of countries are reforming their health systems based on the values and principles of primary health care to improve service delivery and cost-efficiency and to ensure equity. 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.
The Alma Ata Declaration from 1978 called for bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work. Recently, the World Health Assembly urged countries to work towards full coverage of all workers with prevention of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries (Resolution WHA/60.26 from 2007) and for implementing vertical health programmes in the context of integrated primary health care (Resolution WHA/62.12 from 2009).
The Hague Conference was part of a global process to improve coverage of and access to occupational health services as requested by the 60th World Health Assembly in 2007 and contributes to the debate that many Member States and WHO are now engaged in.
Key messages:
- Workers’ health is an integral part of general health and daily life
- Health systems should facilitate local strategies to meet workers’ health needs
- In moving towards universal coverage, those at greatest risk or having greatest needs should be included first.
- When developing policies about workers’ health all relevant stakeholders should be involved.
- Training in health and work should be part of all health care professional training
- Empowerment of workers and the encouragement of decision-makers are critical for the promotion of the health and safety of workers
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