FFW Bulletin #1 April 2012

Fit for Work Europe (FfW) is an initiative based on groundbreaking studies which examine the impact of musculoskeletal disorders
(MSDs) on an individual's ability to work and, therefore, the impact of MSDs on economies and society as a whole. The FfW Coalition, founded in 2010 is a unique multi-stakeholder platform which brings together patients, physicians, policymakers and society representatives, all of whom believe in the importance of early intervention, prevention and management of MSDs in the workplace. The vision of FfW is to shift MSDs from being disabling conditions to manageable conditions, ensuring that more European citizens stay in work or return to work, while helping to improve the sustainability of Europe's health and social care systems.
Co-President Welcome
Chronic Conditions Reflection Process

EU and National Governments are currently debating how to tackle the burden of chronic conditions. On 15 April FfW Europe responded to the European Commission's DG for Health and Consumers invitation to stakeholder's to provide input into the Chronic Conditions Reflection Process. The FfW submission highlighted the importance of including MSDs in National action plans on Chronic Conditions. This was a unique opportunity for National Governments and key stakeholders to drive the policy debate on chronic conditions at EU level, which will ultimately help to influence and shape National policies and approaches for better managing chronic conditions and improving patient outcomes. Did you know that FfW statistics have already been referenced in the preliminary work, included as part of an informal consultation with European NGOs? (page 7, number 14 click here). What can you do? We need to join together and call on National Governments to include optimal care and management of MSDs in their plans for chronic conditions. If you have any suggestions on how you could help push forward recommendations in your country or would like further information on the reflection process, get in touch via [email protected].
FfW Europe Coalition News/Events

2012 got off to a flying start, with more and more policymakers and politicians discussing healthy ageing & demographic change, tackling societal challenges, and innovation & research all 'buzz' words for the aims of Horizon 2020. FfW Europe is continuing to engage on these issues; leading the drive for change in policy and practice where possible, and raising awareness of the social, physical and economic impact of MSDs on European citizens.
On 20 March, FfW participated in the European Parliament Interest Group meeting on Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal diseases. Co-President of FfW Europe and Member of European Parliament, Antonyia Parvanova (ALDE) (pictured to the right), called on National Governments and the European Commission, as part of their horizontal reflection on chronic diseases, to develop a strategy on MSDs calling for National Plans, the need for better research, and greater awareness of comorbidity and mobility issues of people with MSDs. FfW strongly advocates the development of National MSD Plans as a fundamental step for each country to help establish an optimal approach to managing these conditions. Keep an eye on the FfW Twitter handle and website for the latest Europe Coalition news, including outcomes from the European Commission's Innovation in Healthcare without Borders event on 16 & 17 April and FfW's participation at the High Level Conference on EU Health Programmes, taking place 3 May. The FfW Latvian Report was launched on 28 March, with the support of The Work Foundation and the Latvian FfW Coalition. Karlis Shadurskis, Member of the European Parliament and Patron of FfW Latvia insisted that 'health policy must be aimed at the early diagnosis of this disease, its treatment, rehabilitation and opportunities for people to return to work sooner'. MSDs are costing Latvia between 90-360 million per year! The European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations aims to heighten awareness of the contribution that older people make to society. It seeks to promote active ageing through independent living, participation in society and employment. Part of active ageing is healthy ageing. In March, FfW Co-President Antonyia Parvanova contributed to an independent study by the Economist Intelligence Unit, 'Never too early, Tackling chronic disease to extend healthy life years'. This study outlines possible ways to manage the rising tide of chronic diseases, which in turn can extend healthy life years in Europe.
Spotlight on Switzerland. is leading the way in tackling the impact of MSDs on the Swiss workforce
Founded in May 2010, the FfW Swiss Coalition (fitforwork-swiss) has brought together a wide range of diverse stakeholders from different disciplines to discuss the impact of MSDs on citizens and the economic costs. At the end of 2011, they focused on two flagship projects: a publication on different forms of MSDs and their treatments and, more recently, a Work Capacity Tool. In 2012, they will launch an evaluation of work capacity tool for physicians: the 'Wocado tool' provides an estimate on ability to work, as well as providing advice for people with MSDs. Fitforwork-swiss will use this to ensure an emphasis on 'abilities' instead of 'disabilities'. You can find more information about these two new projects through the following link. Next month, we will have more exciting developments from FfW National Coalitions. For any questions on FFW National Coalitions, please do get in touch with the Fit for Work Europe Secretariat at [email protected]
FfW Online
As FfW expands across Europe and now even globally (with a recent National Coalition meeting taking place in Japan), it remains crucial to stay connected. Over the last couple of months the FfW Twitter handle has really taken off, gaining over 100 followers and with Tweets now able to reach approx. 56,000 users including Members of the European Parliament, European Commissioners, key experts, and influential media.
A note from Ireland

This year a host of our National and European FfW supporters will contribute their thoughts and expertise, through a series of thought provoking blogs. For our first FfW Bulletin, John Church, CEO of Arthritis Ireland and a National Fit for Work Ambassador, discusses the FfW Irish programme in his post: 'Fit for Work, Timing is Everything!'. John looks at how National FfW programmes are even more relevant in a time of
What can you do?

Always include the Twitter (and website) links in your FfW-related activity, as well as re-tweeting us! If you
can, please let us know which of you are on Twitter and who we should follow in your country. Please send your Twitter updates to [email protected]. Don't forget to regularly check out the website for latest research, news and blog posts from our CoPresidents, Coalition members and other key stakeholders. If you have a post for FfW, get in touch via the above email address.
economic recession, as well as outlining the ever evolving roles of government and employers. John demonstrates how FfW can be a central cog in ensuring people with MSDs are treated early and can return to work in a timely manner discussing Irish experience at trying to reduce the impact of work absenteeism nationally which costs 750 million per year! The Irish FfW Coalition is a leading example on how national activities can effectively drive change. Don't forget to check out the next issue Sarah Bazin, European Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (ER-WCPT) will discuss the Role of
Physiotherapists!
Looking Ahead
Our next bulletin will be shared with you in May, where we will discuss progress on the Chronic Conditions Reflection Process, our upcoming roundtable on Early Intervention Premiums and more exciting activities from FfW National Coalitions!
The Fit for Work Europe Coalition enjoys the patronage of:
The Fit for Work Europe Coalition works to promote a multi-stakeholder dialogue on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to drive clinical practice and health and work policy that will improve the quality of working life for people with MSDs. Fit for Work is a partnership of organizations and individuals, and enjoys the patronage of The Work Foundation, the Bone and Joint Decade, EULAR and RAND Europe, and a broad range of stakeholders. The Fit for Work Europe Coalition is supported by an ongoing grant from Abbott--a founding partner--and a supporting grant from GE Healthcare.

FFW Bulletin #1 April 2012

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FFW Bulletin #1 April 2012

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

FFW Bulletin #1 April 2012

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Fit for Work Europe (FfW) is an initiative based on groundbreaking studies which examine the impact of musculoskeletal disorders

Chronic Conditions Reflection Process

FfW Europe Coalition News/Events

A note from Ireland

What can you do?

You might also like