Health systems in most low- and middle-income countries are evolving to increasingly feature a major private sector component because the public sector lacks the infrastructure and staff to meet all health care needs. The use of private sector care though often necessitates that patients make significant out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures.

Occupational health programs, initially designed during the advent of industrialization, prevented and treated acute and chronic illness, as well as injuries among the working population. While occupational health and safety are still a part of health services for workers, the advancements in public health and health systems strengthening have shifted the occupational health focus to the overall health and well-being of workers, particularly the prevention and control of occupationally determined outcomes. In the global workforce of approximately 3 billion people, however, only 10%-15% have some type of access to occupational health services.

An ad hoc committee will plan a public workshop of at least two full days in length to illuminate best practices and lessons learned in the financing of health care for the informal labor force in low- and middle-income countries; the best practices with respect to health care delivery models that are especially suitable to meet needs; a variety of occupational health issues including the best practices for preventing or mitigating hazardous risks, as well as the costs of providing medical and rehabilitation services and other benefits to various types of workers in the informal sector.The committee will develop the workshop agenda, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions.

The workshop will feature at least fifteen invited speakers expert in financing innovation, health care delivery schemes; and occupational health ad safety from the U.S. and overseas. They will be asked to address not only innovative approaches to providing health insurance for the informal sector in low- and middle-income countries, but also to share best practices with respect to health care delivery models that include occupational health and safety issues that are especially suitable for the informal workforce. The workshop will include presentations and moderated panel discussions. An individually-authored summary of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines. The workshop may be webcast.