In 1995, HSL became a World Health Organisation (WHO)
Collaborating Centre. Since then, we have been an active member of
the WHO
network, contributing to their occupational health objectives
through specific project work - most recently, on occupational
respiratory disease, well-being and fitness for work and the
emerging health issues associated with nanotechnologies.
Part of our job and that of our fellow Collaborating Centres
worldwide is contributing to the delivery of WHO's global plan of
action for improving occupational health. In addition to our own
varied research programme, HSL is also assisting at a strategic
level by managing one of the Priority Area Objectives in WHO's
global plan namely 'Providing and Communicating Evidence
for Action and Practice'. As such, two of our
occupational health managers from CWH, Dr Jo Harris-Roberts and Ed
Robinson, are responsible for co-ordinating over 35 separate
projects run by 28 different organisations worldwide (that form a
part of the extensive compendium
of activities under the WHO occupational health programme),
encouraging collaborative activities between them, tracking
progress and reporting results directly to WHO.
International Classification of Diseases
As a result of HSL's long-term association with WHO, the medical
team from within CWH have been given the unique opportunity to
participate in the planned revision of the 10th edition of the
International Classification of Diseases.
The International
Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health
Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides
codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms,
abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances, and external
causes of injury or disease. The ICD is published by the WHO and
used worldwide (including England, Scotland and Wales) for
morbidity and mortality statistics, reimbursement systems and
automated decision support in medicine. To date, occupational
diseases have not been included, however one of WHO's key
priorities is to incorporate occupational causes of disease into
the next revision (ICD-11).
Dr Anil Adisesh from CWH is co-ordinating the input from HSL,
under discussion with HSE, to assist the WHO's ICD team to
amend ICD, with a view to launching this important document to the
global community in 2012.
HSL values its relationship with WHO, and we recognise the value
that our organisations can add to occupational health and safety on
a global scale. Our ongoing work with WHO gives us even more
opportunities to extend our international presence, create
beneficial new networks and support the world's occupational health
and safety community.
For further information about HSL's work with the WHO, please
contact Ed
Robinson in the Centre for Workplace Health by e-mail or
alternatively on telephone number 01298 218418.