Through this project, the Patient Organizations Platform (POP) and the Malta Health Network (MHN) have sought to raise awareness among companies and employers about the importance of implementing actions to improve the inclusion of people with chronic diseases in the work environment. To do this, the project seeks to create good practices in the field of health promotion and disease prevention in the workplace through the dissemination of informative material. Thanks to the material produced, health will be promoted by raising awareness of the importance of carrying out measures to improve the inclusion of people with chronic diseases. Likewise, it makes visible the benefits for both workers and employers of including these measures, since they contribute to preventing diseases; accidents in the job; reduce sick leave; increase productivity; create a better work environment and reduce conflicts between workers and employers. Finally, having done it between two entities from different countries, we create alliances and synergies between organizations, as well as make visible all the needs of patients beyond the country of origin. In this way, we have inclusive materials in several languages that can be used in any EU country
Chronic conditions are generally slow-progressing and long lasting and entail a limitation in the quality of life of patients affected and caregivers. It is essential to protect these most vulnerable groups in their work environment, emphasizing prevention and healthy lifestyle habits in the workplace to avoid the development of diseases. It should be noted that in Spain more than a third of deaths can be attributed to behavioral risk factors. Health education is fundamental since it allows people to increase control over their health in order to improve it. Through awareness actions, it is possible to transmit the importance of prevention to enjoy the best possible health. We applied for this project because we believe it is essential to protect the most vulnerable populations in the workplace by promoting dialogue between the company and the worker that promotes well-being and the creation of inclusive, fair and sustainable working conditions.