New WHO report promotes workplace health in Poland
A new WHO report "Situation analysis and recommendations for stewardship on workplace health promotion in Poland" provides evidence-based policy options to position workplace health promotion (WHP) as an integral part of the health system in Poland.
WHO/Europe has prepared the report at the request of the Ministry of Health of Poland. The report examines occupational health in Poland based on national data and information and recommends steps to improve it.
A reform of the Polish health system to improve occupational health has been proposed in the report. Steps have been recommended to move to a comprehensive occupational health approach. The steps include:
- promotion of occupational health and prevention measures;
- surveillance and assessment of health risks at workplace;
- dissemination of occupational health information;
- providing information and advice on healthy and safe working practices and healthy lifestyles; and
- conducting health examinations, and assessment and promotion of work ability among workers.
The workplace provides an important entry point for health promotion programmes aimed at the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Workplace health promotion can reduce NCD risk factors by addressing physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, psychosocial risk factors and by encouraging implementation of smoke- and alcohol-free work environments, with the participation of workers and managers.
Traditional and modern occupational health problems
The Polish economy is characterized by a relatively large proportion of agriculture and industry compared to that of the EU 15. This exposes Polish workers to traditional occupational health and safety hazards at a higher rate, resulting in an increased risk of occupational injuries and diseases.
Even though the proportion of small- and medium-sized enterprises in Poland is lower than in other EU countries, it is growing fast. This means that Poland faces a double burden of occupational health problems, both traditional and modern – which include stress related disorders and harmful effects on health resulting from new technologies. Health hazards in physical, chemical, ergonomic and psychosocial working environments are important determinants of workers’ health and should be targets for preventive interventions.
Noncommunicable diseases a major burden on workers’ health
Workers represent half of the global population and are the major contributors to economic and social development. About 400 million European workers are employed in very diverse conditions which have both positive and negative consequences on their health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, annually more than 300 000 lives are lost in the WHO European Region from various work-related diseases (not including deaths from injury), the majority of which are NCDs. The risk factors for these diseases are involuntary and can be mitigated by the organized efforts of society and enterprises.
WHO emphasizes the importance of inter-sectoral cooperation at the local, national and international levels through “whole of the government” and “health in all policies” approaches as articulated by the Health 2020 policy framework adopted at the Regional Committee of the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
