Op 21 en 22 mei was de Global Thought Leaders Meeting van de International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC), een internationaal collectief van beroepsverenigingen voor bedrijfsartsen. Bij deze meeting kwamen experts uit meer dan 50 landen in Genève bijeen om de gezondheid van werkenden wereldwijd te versterken.
De top richtte zich op actuele uitdagingen zoals mentale gezondheid, klimaatverandering, kunstmatige intelligentie en arbeidsomstandigheden. Resultaten zijn onder meer nieuwe beleidskaders en onderzoeksrapporten die bijdragen aan betere bescherming van werknemers. Daarnaast riep de bijeenkomst op tot sterkere arbeidsbescherming, gelijke toegang tot gezondheid op het werk en duurzame economische groei. Hieronder lees je het originele verslag in het Engels.
Global leaders convene in Geneva to address the future of work
The International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC) successfully concluded its Global Thought Leaders Meeting at the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters on 21st and 22nd May. The high-level, two-day summit brought together delegates from more than 50 countries. Top Occupational Medicine and scientific experts united to address critical intersections in global health to improve workforce health.
There are an estimated 2.9 million deaths annually due to work-related causes. This represents a 12% increase in work-related mortality since 2000, Over 395 million workers sustain non-fatal occupational injuries annually, with around 160 million new cases of work-related diseases occur each year. The global cost of poor occupational safety and health is 3.94%- 5.8% of the world’s GDP, equivalent to $2.8- $3 trillion annually.
The summit centered on developing critical policy and clinical frameworks to safeguard the health of the modern workforce. Key deliverables from the meeting include:
- “Beyond the Body”: A landmark document dedicated to workplace mental health
- Climate Change Review: A comprehensive study on occupational heat exposure
- Organizational Strategy: A framework titled “Unlocking Strategic Value for Organizational Success”
- AI Integration: A roadmap addressing the psychological and physiological impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation
Panels focused on collaborative, evidence-based solutions to combat shifting health needs of the workforces. The summit called for:
- Equitable access to health in the workplace
- Strengthen health-focused labour protections globally, such as for heat stress
- Promote sustainable economic growth through worker well-being.
The summit underscored the critical urgency of addressing global workforce health. The IOMSC reaffirmed that collaborative scientific approaches are vital to protecting worker health in an era of unprecedented technological change.
Inaugural Global Leadership Awards Presented
The summit marked the presentation of the first-ever IOMSC Global Leadership Award. The accolade recognizes outstanding guidance, international inspiration, and exemplary leadership in occupational health. The inaugural recipients are Dame Carol Black, Dr. Ivan Ivanov, Dr. Manal Azzi and Dr. Joaquim Nunes.
Media Contact: Dr Richard Heron, richardheron@me.com
International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC)
About IOMSC
The International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC) is a global network dedicated to advancing the practice of occupational medicine. By connecting scientific experts and policymakers worldwide, the IOMSC works to improve worker health, safety, and sustainable workplace development across the globe.
International and professional principles and standards – from ILO Conventions to the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14) underscore the importance of workplace health.
