The WHO Academy has launched new policy options to help countries better recognize, develop and support care workers as an integral part of the health workforce, responding to the growing demand for care worldwide as populations age and increasing numbers of people require support due to disability, chronic health conditions and other care needs.
The new publication, Development, management and support of care workers – towards an integrated health and care workforce: policy options , highlights that health systems rely on a strong care workforce, often women and girls, who can be paid or unpaid. Yet health and care are frequently planned separately, divided across ministries or budgets, and care workers can be overlooked in health workforce guidance.
“Care workers make an essential contribution to the health and well-being of people and communities, yet their role is often not clear when it comes to workforce planning. These policy options provide countries with a practical framework for developing this much-needed workforce alongside the wider health workforce,” explained Dr Tomas Zapata, Director of the WHO Academy.
The publication provides evidence-informed policy options to guide governments, policy-makers, planners, employers, educators and regulators in strengthening the care workforce and integrating it more effectively into health workforce planning and management. The options span 20 thematic areas, organized around the stages of a worker’s career: entering the workforce, being supported throughout working life and managing exits from it.
The publication also identifies important evidence gaps and considers gender equality, migrant status and differences between public and private employment and care settings. Two priorities emerge particularly strongly from the evidence: strengthening education and training, and improving working conditions, including wages.
“Better recognition of care work, combined with investment in education, working conditions and workforce support, can help countries build more sustainable, equitable and people-centred health systems. High-quality education and lifelong learning can help care workers develop their skills, progress in their careers and work more effectively alongside health workers. This is central to building a capable, valued and sustainable health and care workforce,” said Dr Zapata.
