WHO collaborating centres in occupational health
Encyclopedia
The WHO collaborating centres in occupational health constitute a network of institutions put in place by the World Health Organization
to extend availability of occupational health coverage in both developed and undeveloped countries. The effort includes 64 collaborating centres that have been designated as such by the WHO director-general. The centres in the network meet triennially to develop work plans for advancing occupational health in key areas. The 2009-2012 work plan includes 220 projects, which relate to 5 objectives and 14 priorities as outlined by a global plan of action for workers' health
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, John Howard
is the chairman of the WHO Global Network of Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health. Within the network, activity area managers plan day-to-day activities within projects adopted by the network. Deputy managers monitor activities and evaluate progress of the involved centres.
Using these key goals, the activity area managers have set priorities for specific areas of occupational health.
Other participants working with the centres include the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Commission on Occupational Health
(ICOH), the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA), and the International Ergonomics Association
(IEA).
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World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
to extend availability of occupational health coverage in both developed and undeveloped countries. The effort includes 64 collaborating centres that have been designated as such by the WHO director-general. The centres in the network meet triennially to develop work plans for advancing occupational health in key areas. The 2009-2012 work plan includes 220 projects, which relate to 5 objectives and 14 priorities as outlined by a global plan of action for workers' health
WHO global action plan
The Sixtieth World Health Assembly endorsed on May 23, 2007, the World Health Organization's global plan of action for workers' health. The assembly accepted the draft out of concern for the gaps between and within countries in the exposure of workers and local communities to occupational hazards...
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Leadership structure
As director of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the United States’ federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S...
, John Howard
John Howard (public health administrator)
John Howard is a physician, professor, and public health administrator. He served a 6-year term as the director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and was appointed to be a special coordinator to respond to the health effects of the September 11 attacks...
is the chairman of the WHO Global Network of Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health. Within the network, activity area managers plan day-to-day activities within projects adopted by the network. Deputy managers monitor activities and evaluate progress of the involved centres.
2009-2012 Work Plan
The global plan of action sets forth five major objectives:- to devise and implement policy instruments on workers' health
- to protect and promote health at the workplace
- to improve the performance of and access to occupational health services
- to provide and communicate evidence for action and practice
- to incorporate workers' health into non-health policies and projects
Using these key goals, the activity area managers have set priorities for specific areas of occupational health.
Participating centres
Centres in the network are designated by the WHO director-general. Seven organizations constitute the network's advisory committee:- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), USA
- National Institute for Working Life (NIWL), Sweden
- Finnish Institute for Occupational Health (FIOH), Finland
- Institute for Pesticide Safety and Health Risk Prevention, Italy
- National University of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeThe National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
- FUNDACENTRO, Brazil
- National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), South Africa
Other participants working with the centres include the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Commission on Occupational Health
International Commission on Occupational Health
The International Commission on Occupational Health , is an international non-governmental professional society, founded in Milan during the Expo 1906 as Permanent Commission on Occupational Health....
(ICOH), the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA), and the International Ergonomics Association
International Ergonomics Association
The International Ergonomics Association or IEA is a federation of forty-two individual ergonomics organizations from around the world.The mission of the IEA is to elaborate and advance ergonomics science and practice, and to improve the quality of life by expanding its scope of application and...
(IEA).
Key projects and activities
The collaborating centres have participated in a number of conferences, provided research on occupational safety and health topics, and engaged in varied campaigns and activities such as an inititiative promoting global road safety for workersGlobal road safety for workers
Global road safety for workers refers to the economic, societal, and legal ramifications of protecting workers from automobile-related injury, disability, and death. Road traffic crashes are a leading cause of occupational fatalities throughout the world, especially in developing countries...
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