December 10, 2024
Media Contacts
Heena Patel, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgetown University, O’Neill Institute, hp498@georgetown.edu
Sonali Reddy, Communications Officer, World Health Organization, reddys@who.int
A first-of-its kind study from the World Health Organization and the Georgetown University looks at laws and policies in 182 countries; finds just over half of countries have aligned half of laws with the Global Health and Care Worker Compact.
New research published today on the laws and policies of 182 countries finds the rights and protections for health and care workers differ greatly between countries and across issues. The first-of-its-kind study of the legal environment in which health workers and care workers do their jobs was published today in PLOS Global Public Health and shows countries around the world and across income levels innovating for the rights and protection of people protecting the public’s health. But it also finds many of these workers remain vulnerable, years after the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the fragility of the global health and care workforce.
The unprecedented challenges health and care workers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the world’s health ministers to call for a new Global Health and Care Worker Compact in 2021. This is the first study to examine how closely governments’ national legal environment matches what was called for in the Care Compact—led by researchers from the World Health Organization and Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Policy & Politics at the O’Neill Institute and School of Health.
The study finds that what governments called for in the Care Compact’s is possible. Countries in every region have laws aligned on most or all of the indicators measuring the Care Compact, which focus on preventing harm, providing support, ensuring inclusivity, and safeguarding rights of health and care workers. Laws on occupational health and safety, fair remuneration, enabling work environments, and freedom of association are areas where national laws match global norms—with well over half of countries studied aligned with the Care Compact. But less than 25% are fully aligned on access to health services in occupational settings that include mental health and on equal treatment and non-discrimination. Globally 58% of countries have laws aligned with at least half of the indicators for the Care Compact. This highlights the need for, and opportunity of, law reform in countries throughout the world to elevate and protect the rights and well-being of health and care workers and, in doing so, improve health systems.
“Governments and employers have a legal and moral obligation, a duty of care, to protect health and care workers,” said WHO Health Workforce Director Jim Campbell, “This new report confirms that, while many have put some measures in place to uphold that duty, more needs to be done and in more countries. This includes both ensuring that policy is put into action and supporting all countries, governments and employers to meet their responsibilities.”
“This study shows the need for law reform around the world—to protect the rights of those providing the health and care work we depend on, and to improve health worker retention and their effectiveness in health and care systems around the world,” said Dr. Matthew Kavanagh, director of the Center for Global Health Policy and Politics at Georgetown University’s O’Neill Institute and School of Health. “By tracking and comparing laws around the world, we hope to help governments learn from their neighbors about using law as a tool to improve population health.”
In addition to the study released today, the WHO and O’Neill Institute released an updated database of laws at the Health and Care Worker Policy Lab online portal. The portal also contains summaries of international legal standards backing health and care worker rights and protections.
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About the World Health Organization
Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Visit: www.who.int. For information on the Health Workforce department, visit: https://www.who.int/teams/health-workforce.
About the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law
The O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law housed at Georgetown University Law Center is a leading health policy think tank dedicated to using law to address pressing health challenges and shape a healthier, more just world. Established in 2007, the O’Neill Institute partners with governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and academic institutions to end pandemics, ensure human rights, and build the right to health around the world. For more information, visit us at oneillinstitute.org or follow us at @oneillinstitute.