1. The importance of early intervention and better management of RMDs Ádám Kósa MEP 21th April, Budapest Burden of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: Challenges in Work Capacity and Prevention of Disability in the EU 1

2. On Disability Intergroup The largest and oldest intergroup in the European Parliament Member of the DI are over 100 Secretary of DI is provided by the EDF DI holds meeting regulary on issues relevant to disability issues 2

3. Disability or disease? Musculoskeletal conditions comprise 150 diseases and syndromes Prevalence of physical disabilities is higher in women 30% of all workers were exposed to MSD (1996) Construction, agriculture, hotels and restaurants as well as social and health industries are the main more dangerious areas From Germany to the Netherlands, from 30%-46% of all workdays lost due to sickness According to studies, "many workplaces are ergonomically inappropriate for women" US supreme court case of Toyota Motor Mfg. versus Williams in 2002 where it decided that a woman with a carpal tunnel syndrome not to be considered disabled because it […] did not ”substantially limit [a] major life activity" 3

4. The Council already decided on… - Directive 89/391 - on adaptation the work to persons with designing environment - Directive 90/269 - on back injuries and manual handling risks - Directive 90/270 - on display screens - Directive 89/654 - on workstation layout, seating, etc - Directive 89/655 - on minimum safety and health requirements - Directive 89/656 - on minimums for assessment - Directive 98/37 - on designs and constructions of machines - Directive 93/104 - on working time - standards : prEN 1005-1 - 5 4

5. Hungarian Presidency - the PERSON is the main priority - demographic changes are so huge no one could expect their real outcomes - just until 2020 10 million actives are becoming pensioner and by 2050 one-third of the population will be over 60 5

6. What’s happening in the European Parliament - RMD Interest Group in the EP Androulla Vassiliou Commissioner in 2009 stressed the importance of raising awareness actions European Musculoskeletel Conditions Surveillance and Information Network under Health Programme Expansion of the European Health Survey System - Eurostat László Andor Commissioner also took part in the interests group work in 2010 Kósa report on mobility and inclusion of people with disabilities and new EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020 with references on working conditions and reasonable accommodation - reference to early prevention and development, with more emphasis on the importance of families - barrier-free environment and accessibility as general principles 6

7. Thank you for your attention adam.kosa@europarl.europa.eu 7