12.5 Primary Health Care

Honourable Chair, Distinguished delegates,
Occupational health is fundamental to public health, social justice, sustainable development and economic resilience. Lack of prevention in workplaces tributes almost 3 million deaths and more than 180 million DALYs attributable to work-related diseases and injuries every year.
Besides traditional occupational risks, globalization, digitalization, AI, and climate change are responsible for increasing physical and mental burdens on workers’ health, disproportionately affecting those in vulnerable groups and high-risk settings.
Occupational health is a fundamental component of disease prevention, health equity and economic security. It should be reaffirmed as a core function of the WHO and reflected in future programme planning and governance discussions.
The International Commission on Occupational Health calls for renewed leadership of WHO in this area and stands ready to support WHO in providing, protecting and promoting health and work ability through Universal Coverage of Occupational Health Services.
I thank you