WONCA and ICOH statement on workers and their families

Pledge announced in Lisbon

In his keynote speech at the recent WONCA Europe conference in Lisbon, Prof Michael Kidd, WONCA President, announced a joint statement on workers health.

"In another innovation, WONCA has been working with the WHO and the International Commission on Occupational Health looking at the health of workers and their families, especially in developing parts of the world.

We recognise that health and safety are threatened by poor working conditions, which are a daily reality for many workers around the world. We are also aware of the poor health of many migrant workers based in countries where they have no access to health services. And we recognize that most health care and preventive services for workers and their families is provided in primary care settings by family doctors like you and me.

Today WONCA and the International Commission on Occupational Health are launching our joint statement on workers and their families and we pledge 'to work with our partner organizations (including the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organisation) to address the gaps in services, research, and policies for the health and safety of workers and to better integrate occupational health in the primary care setting, to the benefit of all workers and their families."

Joint Statement

Introduction

Health and work are intimately linked. Work under good conditions can have positive effects on health and wellbeing. On the other hand, health and safety are threatened in poor working conditions, which are a daily reality for many workers around the world. Workers exposed to hazards at work suffer various work-related diseases. Failure to adapt working conditions to the capabilities of workers with chronic health problems may limit their ability to work. Poor health, injuries and disabilities prevent many from working at all or at full capacity. Those who do not work frequently suffer worse health because of limited resources or social isolation. Yet, the health and safety of people at work are too often addressed separately from their health outside of work. Similarly, the health and safety of those at work are often viewed in isolation from the health and safety of their families and communities. Each of these affects the others.The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) and the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) recognize that most health care and preventive services for workers and their families in the formal and informal health system is provided in primary care settings along with variously organized occupational health services. A global challenge is to make more systematic use of the primary care setting and available occupational health services. It is essential to improve the health and productivity of workers by increasing the number, expertise and capacity of health professionals able to prevent and manage work-related health problems. In addition there is an urgent need to increase the number and capacity of occupational health experts and services. This is especially true for those working in low and medium resource countries, the informal economy, small businesses, and agriculture.

Pledge

The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) and the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) pledge to work with our partner organizations (including WHO and ILO) to address the gaps in services, research, and policies for the health and safety of workers and to better integrate occupational health in the primary care setting, to the benefit of all workers and their families.

ILO = International Labour Organization