Primary health care for workers in Latin America

Abstract

The strategy on primary health care for workers is an initiative of the World Health Organization, based on the concept of decent work by the International Labour Organization, which aims to create healthy work environments that improve the quality of employment for Latin America. <em><strong>Objective:</strong></em> To conduct a thematic review in order to document experiences regarding the strategy on primary health care for workers: healthy work environments in some Latin American countries. Methodology: A qualitative exploratory research was developed to collect existing data related to the strategy on primary health care for workers in Latin America. Some databases, like Lilacs, Google Scholar, ProQuest and SciELO, were consulted in the period between 2002 and 2012, in the following countries: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico. <em><strong>Results:</strong></em> Significant progress was found regarding primary health care for workers: healthy work environments in Latin America, such as the creation of manuals and policies in different countries that improve the health conditions of Latin American workers. <em><strong>Conclusion:</strong></em> Although there are some experiences in this area, it is necessary to continue to research the case of Colombia, aiming to make the creation of safe and healthy workplaces possible.