The international community discusses the impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, tobacco-related diseases and cancer, among others. NCDs account for 60% of morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. In Argentina, this percentage is even higher, reaching 80%, according to the study published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014: Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) Country Profiles 2014.

In order to address this problem, the Superintendency of Occupational Risks (Superintendencia de Riesgos del Trabajo (SRT)) has developed the National Healthy Workers Programme, turning the workplace into a strategic centre for the development of health promotion and disease prevention activities.

This programme has already been implemented by means of agreements with provincial governments, national agencies, associations, trade unions and social welfare. The aim is to address the issue of noncommunicable diseases in the workplace, putting emphasis on primary prevention.

Methodologically, the programme optimizes the performance of primary health care services provided by support networks. It contributes to improve early detection by the promoter of health at work and referral to occupational health services, preventive programmes from social welfare and public health providers.