Institutional analysis of workplace health promotion for elderly in 10 Countries: Pro-Health65+

Background Longevity and low birth-rate have become a new challenge in European Public Health. A systematic approach to the issue includes the analysis of workplace health promotion for elderly (WHP4E). This study, conducted within the European project “Pro-Health65+”, reviewed the programs of WHP4E and analyzed the institutions involved in them. Methods The review of activities of WHP4E performed in 10 European countries was conducted on Medline, on major online search engines and on the website of the major European Agencies of worker health promotion (ENWHP, Euro Fund, ILO, EU-OSHA). Institutions involved in programs were divided in 9 categories: Supra-governmental organization; Governmental Institution; Employers' representative; Enterprise; Occupational physician; Health insurance company; Non-profit organization; Research organization; Other organization. Finally, for each program, the involvement of institutions was classified in: Setting; Promoter; Organizer; Financing; Expertise source; Regulation. Results Four hundred twenty-five programs of WHP4E were identified in the selected countries. Most of the programs were carried out in Germany (87) and The Netherlands (79). Enterprise, as financing, promoter, organizer and setting, was the institution most involved in programs (148). The Supra-governmental and Governmental institutions were engaged mainly as financing of the programs (107), especially in Southern and Eastern Europe countries (Italy, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Lithuania) respect to northern countries (Germany and Netherlands). The Research organizations were involved mainly as expertise source (85 programs). Conclusions Despite many institutions in Europe are active in the field of WHP4E, their efforts are still isolated and random distributed. A strengthen cooperation between Governmental institutions and enterprise sector could be useful to facilitate and endorse the adoption of WHP4E policies and programs. Message 1 Considering the rapid increase of the employment rate of older workers, a systematic and integrated approach to WHP4E policies and programs would be appropriate