Evidence-based approach for continuous improvement of occupational health.
BACKGROUND
It was recognized early on that an Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) approach could be applied to Public Health (PH), including the area of Occupational Health (OH). The aim of Evidence-Based Occupational Health (EBOH) is to ensure safety, health, and well-being in the workplace. Currently, high-quality research is necessary in order to provide arguments and scientific evidence upon which effective, efficient, and sustainable preventive measures and policies are to be developed in the workplace in Western countries. Occupational physicians need to integrate available scientific evidence and existing recommendations with a framework of national employment laws and regulations.


OBJECTIVE
This paper addresses the state of the art of scientific evidence available in the field (i.e., efficacy of interventions, usefulness of education and training of workers, and need of a multidisciplinary strategy integrated within the national PH programs) and the main critical issues for their implementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Promoting good health is a fundamental part of the smart, inclusive growth objectives of Europe 2020 - Europe's growth strategy: keeping people healthy and active for longer has a positive impact on productivity and competitiveness. It appears clear that health quality and safety in the workplace play a key role for smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in Western countries.
Dip. Medicina e scienze dell'invecchiamento, Università di Chieti, Pescara, Italy.|Agenzia sanitaria regionale Abruzzo, Pescara, Italy.
Lamberto
L
Manzoli
Dip. Scienze biomediche, Unità Epidemiologia e statistica medica, Università di Sassari, Italy.|Unità di ricerca, formazione medica, sviluppo professionale, AOU Sassari, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Sotgiu
Dip. Sanità pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.
Nicola
N
Magnavita
Dip. Scienze della salute, Scuola specializzazione in Medicina del lavoro, Università di Genova, Italy.|Unità operativa Medicina de lavoro, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy.|Coordinator of the Occupational Hygiene WG.
Paolo
P
Durando
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006266:Health Education; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007558:Italy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017751:Safety Management; D017132:Workplace / Q000592:standards