Policy Gap of Workplace Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Prevention and Control in Thailand
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify gaps, barriers, and challenges of risk factor prevention policy on non-communicable diseases in workplace in Thailand. This study used qualitative approach by reviewing policy recommendations from international organizations in comparison with policies in Thailand. In-depth interviews with policy stakeholders were also conducted to identify policy gaps, barriers, and challenges of implementation. The study findings revealed that no national policy framework of healthy workplace and the integration of health promotion (HP) and occupational safety and health (OSH) could be seen. Also, there was no guideline for financial incentive development for employers to promote healthy workplace. Additionally, potential barriers on policy implementation were explored, including lack of alignment between key policy agencies (such as Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Labor), limitations of law enforcement, lack of linkage on individual health data in workplace, and inefficient monitoring and evaluation of health outcomes among workers in workplace. Therefore, policy recommendations are proposed to the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Public Health to consider the integration of HP with OSH in the workplace, develop a national policy framework of worker health and incentive measures to encourage small and medium enterprises in implementing policy at workplace. In addition, the central cross-sectoral data integration for health should be in place.
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