Citizen engagement for health equity: evidence from the CPW project
P Boffetta, M Kostrzewa, Á Honrado, M Magaña, MP Aristimuño, M OțeleaAbstract
Background
Occupational settings represent an underutilised entry point for cancer prevention. Workers and their families are exposed to modifiable cancer risk factors - including infectious agents - yet are insufficiently reached by conventional prevention. CPW assesses the efficacy of incorporating primary prevention interventions into current occupational monitoring systems.
Objectives
To explore the extent to which the integration of citizen engagement within occupational health surveillance systems can strengthen primary cancer prevention among workers and their families across multiple EU countries.
Methods
We employ a multi-channel engagement strategy targeting workers, families, patients, and policymakers. A Stakeholder Forum, with patient organisations and workers’ representatives, serves as participatory mechanism, supported by dissemination through social media, educational, and digital platforms. A family-focused pilot intervention is being implemented in Oviedo, Spain, incorporating health education and quizzes. Engagement materials are continuously adapted to local languages and contexts.
Results
Challenges were mainly identified in relation to participants’ selection, to ensure inclusive representation, and with coordinating worker-facing activities across countries, due to diverse health systems. The project evidenced the importance of multi-channel communication to ensure inclusivity and broaden the audience; it is necessary to have an iterative communication plan that is continuously adapted to local audience.
Conclusions
Occupational settings offer a scalable and underexplored pathway for equitable cancer prevention. Reaching workers and families requires iterative, multi-channel strategies co-designed with relevant stakeholders, sustained by permanent engagement infrastructures and supported by cross-sectoral collaboration across health, industry, and civil society.