It is estimated that the annual costs of sickness absence and worklessness associated with working age ill-health are over £100 billion. In the context of both an ageing and growing population, this will increase with more long term illness at work and more workers with caring responsibilities. Increasing dependence on the work force will require a healthier workers and early intervention will be crucial. Evidence shows that long periods away from work can be detrimental to an individual’s health (1).
2020health is conducting an independent study, ‘Valuing health as a public health outcome’ that is supported by an unrestricted grant from the health care company Abbott.
WHAT: The study will explore a number of issues concerning the development of a more work-focused NHS, including the ways in which health professionals, commissioners and Government can help to improve work-related patient outcomes.
WHO: Dr Jonathan Shapiro from the Healthcare Development Unit at the University of Birmingham will be directing the project, in conjunction with a panel of leading experts. Dr John O’Dowd, a consultant orthopaedic surgeonwill leading the steering group for this research. This project, through developing expert knowledge and conducting grass roots workshops with communities across the country hopes to discover what people on the frontline of health and work service provision know about the value of work.
WHEN: This project research is already underway and will culminate in a report due for publication in March 2010. Click here for details of the Work Outcomes Workshops
