There are many unacceptable health inequalities among countries and across regions. The World Health Report 2008 titled Primary health care - Now more than ever, published recently by the World Health Organization (WHO), comes after the thirty-year-old Alma Ata Declaration which first mobilized stakeholders towards the primary health care movement.

The aim of the report coincides with the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s efforts in advancing social justice and equity. As every person has a right to a decent safe and healthy job environment, every person should have access to health care.

However, there are trends and variations in today’s world that nourish inequalities among countries and regions in this regard. The nature of health issues is also changing and should be taken into consideration, such as the increase in the ageing population which is directly linked to health needs at the workplace and outside. Many persons demonstrate compound symptoms and manifold sicknesses which call for a more integrated management of ill health.

The world of work and public health care systems should therefore team up in providing health services to workers and their families in order to keep in step with a changing world facing the more disproportionate effects of globalization

For more information on the World Health Report 2008.