Strengthening of health surveillance of working populations
The use of international statistical classification of diseases (ICD-10) in occupational health
Overview
A WHO Meeting on Strengthening of Health Surveillance of Working Populations (The Use of International Statistical
Classification of Diseases (ICD- 10) in Occupational Health) was convened in Geneva from 8 to 10 July 199 8 to review
the state of the art of health surveillance of working populations and to assist WHO in the development of Guidelines on
the use of International Statistical Classification of Diseases in Occupational Health, (see Agenda in Annex 1).
Dr Richard Helmer Director, Division of Operational Support in Environmental Health, opened the meeting and
welcomed the participants and the representatives of International Organizations (see List of Participants, in Annex 2).
He mentioned that since the beginning of 1998 the Occupational Health Unit has been located in Environmental Health,
but the future role of Occupational Health in the new strategy and organization would depend on the level of priority
given to this programme by the new WHO administration.
Furthermore, Dr. Helmer emphasised that the present meeting has particular significance for Occupational Health, since
its main objective is to explore at global level the use of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases in
Occupational Health for the notification and coding of occupational diseases and injuries. The development of reliable
and comparable national statistics of occupational diseases and injuries is in line with the new cluster areas to be
represented in the new WHO structure, and he emphasised that this policy is of interest to all countries. Hence the wide
geographical representation at this meeting, covering the rapidly industrializing countries of Asia, developing countries
of Africa, developed countries and countries in transition.