Investing in workers’ health is critical to the future sustainability of social security. Such investment is at the core of a social security institution’s mission. The institution must thus assume the role of health promoter and work proactively to motivate and engage the insured population (i.e. within workplaces). Prevention and promotion approaches must be integrated into the institution’s vision and strategy, supporting the concept of Dynamic Social Security.

The “setting approach” has proved successful within the framework of health promotion. In this, health promotion occurs in various settings (e.g. schools, municipalities, clinical settings and workplaces), but it is the interrelationships that can be created among the different settings which are important. The workplace setting must thus be approached as part of the community in which the social security institution operates, emphasizing the added value that the institution can offer in addition to its individualized services.

There are sustainable advantages for the social security institution in promoting the health of the insured population, including reduced costs (e.g. fewer benefit payments), improved institutional image, customer retention and customer acquisition.

Adopting the role of workplace health promoter requires moving from a reactive role as payer/purchaser of curative, rehabilitative and long-term care services to a more proactive role that focuses on motivating and engaging the insured population (i.e. those employed by client enterprises and organizations) and actors in the social health insurance system in health promotion and prevention.

This commitment to taking a proactive role in workplace health promotion must be translated into a clear vision, by clarifying the unique position of the social security institution within society in general and the social health insurance system in particular, as well as its relationship to the insured population.

Furthermore, the social security institution must set an example within its own organization and structures. If the institution is to act as a health promotion facilitator, it must have credibility. This can be acquired only by setting an example in promoting workplace health.

To consolidate its role in workplace health promotion, the social security institution must integrate this role into its vision, goals and strategic aims.