GoingToMeet

Enjoyment of an optimal state of health is key to human wellbeing. Economic, social and moral arguments are advanced which favour work as the most effective means to improve the wellbeing of citizens, their families and their communities. Worklessness, which includes but is broader than unemployment and economic inactivity, can be destructive to self-respect, risks poor physical and mental health, and frustrates the achievement of wellbeing. It is difficult to refute a moral obligation on society to do all at its disposal to support people of working age into a life of work; but what kind of work? Do the beneficial effects of work outweigh the risks to health and wellbeing of unemployment and prolonged absence from work on health grounds? What progress has been made in the roll-out of the Government's Pathways to Work Programme? These and other related issues are the substance of this important conference which follows two earlier successful conferences on Pathways to Work held by The Royal Society of Medicine in London and Cardiff during the past three years.