English version - Fit for Work Europe

Introduction
14
2.5
Structure of
the report
on their own but the conditions can cause significant absence from work or lost productivity.
Back pain and WRULDs are often included in the occupational health and safety guidelines and
literature. Occupational health practitioners typically deal with these conditions.
On the other hand, RA and SpA are specific and progressive rheumatic diseases which are
not caused by work, but may be made worse by work and are often handled by general
practitioners and specialists, not within the occupational health arena. They are clinically
diagnosed conditions that, if untreated, progress in a broadly predictable way. They can have a
significant impact on functional capacity at work and, in the long-term, participation in the labour
market. Most people with these conditions require clinical interventions over a prolonged period
of time and the management of these conditions for those of working age should involve the
frequent and active participation of clinicians, employers and occupational health professionals.
The analysis of the impact of MSDs in Japan is structured as follows:
• Section Three examines the extent of MSDs in Japan and the implications of related
poor health for the Japanese society.
• Sections Four, Five, Six and Seven review the impact and costs of MSDs from the
perspectives of the Japanese government, health care professionals, employers and
employees, providing recommendations for each group of stakeholders on how to
tackle the burden of chronic conditions in Japan.
• Section Eight summarises the case for early intervention for MSDs and presents a Call
to Action for the four stakeholder groups.
Fit For Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Japanese Labour Market